Key takeaway: Betfair operates under regulatory oversight, accepts traditional currency, and appeals to sports wagering enthusiasts. Polymarket functions as a decentralised blockchain platform, specialising in political forecasting and niche event markets. For those seeking breadth in European political prediction markets, Polymarket delivers superior liquidity and choice.
The prediction market landscape across Europe centres on two major contenders: Betfair (the established betting exchange pioneer) and Polymarket (the blockchain-enabled forecasting venue). 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: Substantially greater order book depth across US electoral contests, continental governance developments, and international tensions compared with Betfair offerings
- Transparency: Blockchain-verified settlement provides auditable certainty; Betfair's terms remain subject to interpretation
- Market variety: Digital asset valuations, technological breakthroughs, academic milestones — categories absent from Betfair's portfolio
- No bookmaker margin: Participant-determined pricing eliminates the house spread overlay
Where Betfair wins
- Sports markets: Live sports wagering represents Betfair's foundational advantage; Polymarket provides minimal coverage of active sporting contests
- Fiat deposits: Traditional payment methods require no blockchain familiarity on Betfair
- Regulation: FCA-authorised status includes investor safeguards and gambling harm prevention features
- Track record: Quarter-century operational history with established complaint procedures
Our verdict
For those focused on political forecasting venues, Polymarket emerges as the superior choice. PolyGram simplifies access to Polymarket without demanding crypto proficiency. Start trading on PolyGram →