Key takeaway: Betfair operates under regulatory oversight, accepts traditional currency, and appeals to sports wagering enthusiasts. Polymarket functions as an unregulated, blockchain-powered venue that specialises in forecasting political outcomes and real-world occurrences. When it comes to continental European political forecasting, Polymarket demonstrates superior depth and breadth of available markets.
Across Europe, two platforms command the prediction market landscape: Betfair (the established betting exchange pioneer) and Polymarket (the decentralised prediction platform built on blockchain technology). What distinguishes them?
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 demonstrates considerably stronger order book depth for American electoral contests, continental governance races, and international tensions compared to its competitor
- Transparency: Settlement occurs verifiably through blockchain infrastructure; Betfair's operational procedures remain less transparent to participants
- Market variety: Digital asset valuations, machine learning breakthroughs, and breakthrough scientific developments find homes here — offerings absent from conventional platforms
- No bookmaker margin: Market participants establish pricing mechanisms directly, eliminating intermediary surcharges
Where Betfair wins
- Sports markets: Live sports wagering represents Betfair's principal competitive advantage; Polymarket provides minimal coverage of active sporting contests
- Fiat deposits: Betfair removes barriers for users unfamiliar with blockchain systems
- Regulation: FCA authorisation delivers investor safeguards and gambling harm reduction protocols
- Track record: Two decades of continuous operation, coupled with established mechanisms for resolving disagreements
Our verdict
Should your focus centre on forecasting political developments, Polymarket emerges as the superior option. PolyGram streamlines access to Polymarket's crypto-native infrastructure without demanding technical proficiency. Start trading on PolyGram →