Key takeaway: Betfair operates under regulatory oversight, accepts traditional currency, and appeals to conventional sports punters. Polymarket functions without regulation, runs on blockchain infrastructure, and specialises in geopolitical and niche-event forecasting. For continental European political forecasting, Polymarket delivers superior depth and breadth of available bets.
The prediction-market landscape in Europe is anchored by two major contenders: Betfair (the pioneering betting exchange) and Polymarket (the decentralised prediction platform). What sets them apart?
At a glance
| Feature | Polymarket | Betfair |
| Founded | 2020 | 2000 |
| Regulation | Unregulated (decentralised) | FCA, Malta, Gibraltar licensed |
| Currency | USDC (stablecoin) | GBP, EUR, AUD |
| Market types | Politics, crypto, science, culture | Sports, politics, entertainment |
| Fees | ~2% (spread-based) | 2–5% commission on winnings |
| Deposits | USDC, MoonPay | Card, bank transfer, PayPal |
Where Polymarket wins
- Political markets: Polymarket commands greater trading volume across US electoral contests, continental governance races, and international flashpoints relative to Betfair
- Transparency: Blockchain-based outcomes are immutably recorded and auditable; Betfair's settlement protocols remain less transparent
- Market variety: Digital asset valuations, technological breakthroughs, scholarly progress — segments absent from Betfair's catalogue
- No bookmaker margin: Participant-driven pricing eliminates the house edge built into traditional sportsbook odds
Where Betfair wins
- Sports markets: Live-action wagering represents Betfair's competitive advantage; Polymarket offers minimal coverage of active sporting contests
- Fiat deposits: Conventional payment methods bypass the need for cryptocurrency literacy
- Regulation: FCA authorisation furnishes legal safeguards and responsible-gambling infrastructure
- Track record: Two and a half decades of operation, with established complaint procedures and user protections
Our verdict
Should your focus centre on geopolitical and electoral forecasting, Polymarket emerges as the superior choice. PolyGram streamlines entry to Polymarket without requiring blockchain expertise. Start trading on PolyGram →