Key takeaway: Betfair operates under regulatory oversight, accepts traditional currency, and appeals to sports wagering enthusiasts. Polymarket functions without regulation, runs on blockchain infrastructure, and specialises in forecasting political outcomes and global events. For those seeking European political forecasting opportunities, Polymarket delivers superior market depth and choice.
The prediction market landscape in Europe centres on two major players: Betfair (the established betting exchange pioneer) and Polymarket (the decentralised, blockchain-based forecasting platform). 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 commands greater trading volume across American elections, continental governance forecasts, and international tensions compared to its rival
- Transparency: Blockchain-verified outcomes guarantee auditability; Betfair's settlement procedures remain less transparent to users
- Market variety: Digital asset valuations, technological breakthroughs, research developments — offerings absent from Betfair's catalogue
- No bookmaker margin: Participant-driven pricing replaces house-inflated odds
Where Betfair wins
- Sports markets: Live sports wagering forms Betfair's foundation; Polymarket provides minimal real-time sports coverage
- Fiat deposits: Traditional payment methods eliminate cryptocurrency prerequisites on Betfair
- Regulation: FCA authorisation delivers statutory safeguards and gambling responsibility measures
- Track record: Two decades of continuous operation with established complaint procedures
Our verdict
For those pursuing political forecasting, Polymarket emerges as the superior choice. PolyGram simplifies Polymarket participation whilst removing blockchain barriers. Start trading on PolyGram →