A betting exchange is a peer-to-peer platform that allows punters to place wagers against other bettors rather than with traditional betting sites.
The odds on betting exchanges are generally more favourable than on a sportsbook, making them a hugely attractive proposition from a punting perspective.
Betting exchange sites make their money by charging a small commission on your winnings, but the more attractive odds help to compensate for this deduction.
The commission charged differs between betting exchange UK sites, although 2% tends to be the standard rate for most operators.
There are two kinds of bettors involved when any wager is made on a betting exchange – one who places a ‘back’ bet and one who ‘lays’ the bet.
For example, let’s say that you want to place a wager on Manchester United beating Liverpool in a Premier League match.
In this scenario you are the person placing the ‘back’ bet with another bettor who ‘lays’ the bet. In other words, the other person does not think Man United will win.
Betting Exchange Terminology
Now we’ve established the core construct of a betting exchange, let’s assess those two key elements in a little more detail.
↪ Backing
In simple terms, placing a ‘back’ bet on a betting exchange is the same as wagering on a selection with a traditional bookmaker.
Based on the example above, if you fancy Man United to beat Liverpool, you would click the odds listed in the ‘back’ column to place your bet.
If you stake £10 at odds of 3.00 and they won the game, you would receive £30 (10 x 3.00) less whatever commission is deducted by the betting exchange.
However, if the match was drawn or Liverpool win, your stake would be lost and the person laying the bet would make a profit.
↪ Laying
When you ‘lay’ a bet at a betting exchange you are effectively acting as the bookmaker by offering odds on the outcome of a sports event.
For the Man United versus Liverpool match, laying the Red Devils means you are taking bets on them not winning the game.
If they defeat Liverpool, you will pay out to bettors based on the odds you offered before the match gets underway.
However, if the match is a draw or Liverpool win, you win the amount that has been staked less a small percentage commission taken by the betting exchange.
How to Calculate Your Liability at Betting Exchange Sites
Whenever you act as the layer, your betting account must have sufficient funds available to cover any potential payouts to the bettor.
If you accepted a £10 bet at odds of 3.00 on the Man United v Liverpool game, your liability would be £20.
Having less than this in your account would mean you could not lay the bet in full.
Sign-up for a Betting Exchange Account
The process for signing for an account with a betting exchange varies between different operators, but generally follows these steps.
- Click ‘Join Now’ on the homepage.
- Enter the requested personal details.
- Enter the bonus code if required.
- Make a deposit.
- Verify your account.
- Start betting.
Once your account is open, you will generally be required to submit proof of identity and address before you can make any withdrawals.