Smarkets Review

Smarkets Review

If you're a tried-and-true wagering fanatic and haven't given a betting exchange a try, your journey should begin – and might very well end – with Smarkets.

The industry disruptor has made waves for offering some the most competitive odds in a crowded UK betting market – and while users who like having a little casino action with their accas and odds boosts will be left wanting, die-hard sports bettors will find a lot to like here.

Here's a deeper look at Smarkets, and why this betting exchange is worth your time:

Smarkets Quick Facts

Smarkets Locations

Smarkets primarily focuses on its UK audience, as it holds a full license to operate in the UK. However, those in several other European countries can also enjoy everything Smarkets has to offer, thanks to its Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) license. Restrictions do apply in some countries, such as Denmark, Switzerland, China and the US.

Sports Leagues to Bet On

Players can bet on almost any sport imaginable at Smarkets. The betting exchange takes wagers on a huge range of different popular sports. Here are some of our favourites. 

Football Betting

Football is one of the most popular sports at Smarkets, so you’ll find a huge number of options when it comes to sports betting on football. Bet on anything from the Premier League, Leagues One and Two to the FA Cup and the Champions League. 

Tennis Betting

Tennis is a popular sport at any UK bookmaker, and the situation at Smarkets is no different. Players can bet on Grand Slams such as Wimbledon and the Australian Open, along with many other tournaments throughout the year. 

Cricket Betting

UK players have numerous cricket options to choose from at Smarkets. Currently, players can bet on a variety of different cricket betting markets, including Tests, ODIs and T20s.

Horse Racing

Choose the winner of all the biggest horse races at Smarkets, and you could be taking home some serious money. The sportsbook takes bets on races everywhere from Ascot and Aintree to Dubai. Choose which horse will win the race, who will be placed second and third and much more. 

Other Sports Leagues

Smarkets offers an extensive selection of esports betting options. Users have multiple Counter-Strike and League of Legends events to choose from, as well as Call of Duty and Dota 2. 

Smarkets users will find many other betting exchange markets here, including boxing, darts, golf, greyhounds, handball, ice hockey, MMA, motorsports, Rugby League, Rugby Union, table tennis and volleyball, along with current affairs, news and politics and TV and Specials.

Online Betting Experience

Website Experience

Smarkets has a sleek and enticing design that’s quite unlike any of its competitors. The desktop site is up to date and modern, with a seamless look that makes navigating the sportsbook a breeze. You’ll find all your favourite sports here within seconds. It’s quick and easy to explore different markets once you’ve found the games you’re looking for, too. 

If we had one minor complaint, it's that it isn't immediately clear to a novice customer how the betting exchange works. And while Smarkets does an exemplary job of explaining this in its Help Centre, making that information easier to find would be a nice plus.

Mobile Betting and Betting App

Smarkets works perfectly on mobile devices, but for the best experience we highly recommend downloading the app. This is one of the best rated apps of any UK sportsbook, and once you download it you’ll see why. 

There’s a purpose-built app for Apple and Android, which you can download at the touch of a button. The Apple app is currently rated 4.8 on the App store, while the Google Play version has a rating of 3.4.

Live Betting

You can bet in-play on all kinds of sports at Smarkets. At the time of writing, there were over 30 different in-play options available, including football, tennis, baseball and even specials such as Bitcoin trading prices.  

Players can choose to place bets at any point in games, and cash out as and when they feel it's the best time to do so. But remember, if you hold your nerve you’ll be in with a chance of winning the biggest prizes. 

Casino, Poker, & Other Gaming Options

Smarkets is a betting exchange rather than a typical bookmaker, so at present it does not offer an online casino. 

If you’re looking for slots, poker, live casino games or other gaming options, we’d advise you to choose from our recommended UK sportsbooks like Ladbrokes, William Hill and Coral.

Keep an eye out, though, as Smarkets might well choose to dive into the world of online games in the future. 

Smarkets History

Smarkets is a relative newcomer on the UK gambling scene, but it’s been around for long enough to establish a glowing reputation amongst players.  

The company was founded in 2008, and it now has offices all over the world. The betting exchange is still UK-based though, and it has retained its strong focus on bettering the odds offered by its competitors.  

Smarkets is quite unlike any other UK sportsbook. It uses industry-disrupting technology to predict changes in the market and offer unbeatable odds on all kinds of sports. We’re expecting big things from Smarkets over the coming years. 

Customer Ratings & Reputation

Smarkets has a great reputation amongst UK players. It’s well known for offering safe, secure online sports betting, through an industry-leading platform that really does outshine that of its competitors.  

Customers regularly praise its great odds on all kinds of sports, and are quick to recognise how well the desktop and mobile sites work, as well as the Apple and Android apps. 

Customer Service

Smarkets customers can use the live chat option to talk to the customer service team whenever they need help. The support team is available 24/7, but you do need to be logged in to be able to contact them. It’s also possible to get in touch with Smarkets staff via Twitter, by tweeting @SmarketsTech, or by phone or email. 

Smarkets Contact

• Phone: 020 7617 7413
• Email: support@smarkets.com
• Twitter: @SmarketsTech
• Live chat available

Smarkets Legal Betting

Smarkets holds several licenses, allowing it to cater to customers throughout the UK and in several other countries around the world.  

Smarkets is licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority of Malta. In the UK, Smarkets is licensed and regulated by the Gambling Commission.

The company also holds another license for Irish customers. Here, it is licensed and regulated by the Revenue Commissioners National Excise License Office. 

Responsible Gambling

Smarkets’ provision for players who might be struggling with problem gambling isn’t quite as comprehensive as that of some of the other top UK sportsbooks. However, there is information available to help with problem gambling on the Smarkets support pages. Players are invited to contact the customer service team if they need further assistance.

Here is a list of some of their recommended partners.

• BeGambleAware.org: offers free, confidential help and support to anyone worried about gambling for themselves or others.
• Gambling Therapy: a global service provided by Gordon Moody offering free emotional support and advice to anyone affected by gambling.
• GamCare: The National Gambling Helpline provides confidential information, advice, and support for anyone affected by gambling problems in England, Scotland, and Wales. Help available via live chat or phone: 0808 8020 133.
• GamStop: a free national self-exclusion tool. Once registered, you will be prevented from using gambling websites and apps run by companies licensed in Great Britain for your chosen period.

Why Choose Smarkets?

Smarkets is a unique sportsbook with a real focus on providing truly unbeatable odds. It’s a great looking site whether you visit it on a desktop or mobile device. We have no complaints where usability is concerned, either.  

In terms of choice, Smarkets really hold their ground. There are many sports to pick from, and a multitude of markets to explore for each one. Everything from classic sports like football and tennis to newer additions like eSports are fully covered. Don’t miss out on this brilliant UK betting exchange - it’s definitely one of our favourites.