Key takeaway: Betfair operates under regulatory oversight, accepts traditional currency methods, and appeals to sports wagering enthusiasts. Polymarket functions without regulation, operates via blockchain infrastructure, and specialises in forecasting political outcomes and real-world occurrences. For those seeking European political prediction opportunities, Polymarket delivers superior market depth and choice.
Two major platforms lead the European prediction market landscape: Betfair (the established betting exchange pioneer) and Polymarket (the blockchain-powered 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 order book depth across American presidential races, continental governance contests, and international tensions relative to Betfair offerings
- Transparency: Blockchain-settled transactions remain permanently auditable; Betfair's settlement methodology can lack clarity
- Market variety: Digital asset valuations, machine learning breakthroughs, laboratory findings — segments absent from Betfair's catalogue
- No bookmaker margin: Participant-driven pricing eliminates the overround embedded by traditional sportsbooks
Where Betfair wins
- Sports markets: Live sports wagering represents Betfair's foundational competency; Polymarket provides minimal coverage of active sporting contests
- Fiat deposits: Betfair requires no cryptocurrency familiarity for account funding via conventional deposit methods
- Regulation: FCA authorisation ensures investor safeguards and responsible participation frameworks
- Track record: Two and a half decades of continuous operation, plus established complaint handling mechanisms
Our verdict
For those focused on political forecasting markets, Polymarket emerges as the superior choice. PolyGram streamlines Polymarket participation without requiring blockchain expertise. Start trading on PolyGram →