Should I Bet With A Traditional Bookmaker or Betting Exchange?

Not so long ago this question didn’t even cross people’s lips. You would simply go into your local bookmakers, write out a bet and take it to the counter. Now-a-days, there is more choice about where to bet than what to have for tea.

Betting exchanges such as Betfair have only come into the market in the last 10 years, before that ‘exchange’ didn’t even exist in the betting jargon. Couple this growth with the rise of internet betting through the traditional bookmakers and you have two very competitive businesses on each other doorstep.

There is no doubt that traditional bookmakers such as Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral will always have their loyal customers, due mainly to the extensive range of services and excellent customer service they offer. This has never been compromised by the shift to online gambling in the 21^st Century and although there are new bookmakers popping up all the time, there is some reason to believe high-street bookmakers are a dying trade.

Betting exchange odds are usually between 10% and 20% higher than with the bookmakers but don’t be fooled by the price you see. This price is normally subject to a commission of about 5% on any winning bet. The price you see is also not guaranteed unless there is somebody who is willing to match the bet you have placed. In short, on a betting exchange you are essentially betting against another punter, not the bookmakers as with traditional bookies. Therefore for you to place a bet you need someone to match that bet. This can sometimes result in your stake being returned and the bet not placed. It is also fair to say that exchanges do not have as many markets as the traditional bookmakers do, especially in football betting. The bookmaker not only offers more markets before the event, but also in-running with regard to football matches.

Looking at the traditional bookmakers, I personally think there online experience is much better than the exchanges, their sites are a lot more user friendly and for the novice at least, an exchange site can be a very intimidating place. The scramble for new punters to their site has seen bookmakers offer very appealing offers to any new customers. The offers available can sometimes give a new customer up to £100 in free bets (read the terms and conditions VERY carefully) and in the past, the traditional bookmakers provide much more lucrative bonuses than the exchanges do.

It is very important to shop around if you’re looking to sign up to a gambling website, there are so many options out there and ultimately it will come down to personal preference. Personally I would recommend a traditional bookmaker for the novice and casual punters and if you are going to go for an exchange site, be sure to do your homework first.

Andy Clark