Smarkets
Smarkets
About
Smarkets
When it comes to the online betting world, most brands hand their business in almost the same factions: Bookies have complete control and they offer the odds, set the wagering limits, and establish favorable rules.
Two men decided that this business model was not enough and in 2008 they set it upon themselves to create a product that incorporates the latest technology alongside financial trading principles.
The names of those visionaries are Hunter Morris and Jason Frost, and what they came up with is called Smarkets, the subject of this review.
Wagering options
Top Asian and European bookmakers’ reviews usually start with the betting categories and options.
However, that won’t be possible in the case of Smarkets.
The reason is that thanks to its “Honest, user-centered trading” nature, punters can place their own offers and take the ones made by others; in other words, they can gamble amongst themselves betting on anything they want.
And when we say anything, we not only mean any available sport.
As a matter of fact, one of their unique characteristics is called “Current Affairs”.
This wagering category allows players to risk their money on events that British and Europeans might consider relevant, even if they are rather trivial.
Clients can wagers on results from:
Regional and National Elections
Parliamentary sessions
Award ceremonies
Reality shows
Other types of TV programs
Yet, there’s a third rail to this train. Within the industry, there is a kind of concern that prices must be set by bookmakers and that the markets need some sort of regulation in order to keep functioning as originally intended.
To achieve that, Smarkets launched in 2019 their own sportsbook, offering odds that intend to disrupt competitors in favor of bettors.
Relevant aspects
In accordance with their technological approach, Smarkets website is modern, fast, and dynamic while keeping a certain air of elegance.
You can access it directly from the browser even from your smartphone or tablet, though it has an App available only for Android.
In any case, the theme is adjustable to clients’ preferences.
Another way to find how much a brand is committed to innovation is by checking the things they do that others don’t.
In the case of this exchange, aside from English, their website is also in Danish, Swedish, and Portuguese.
Regarding the deposit and withdrawal methods, Smarkets works with different payment methods including bank transferences, Neteller and Skrill, Paypal, and cryptocurrencies.
Since their involvement in the trading process is limited to facilitating and arbitrating transactions, the 2% commission they take sounds more than reasonable.
Conclusion
With that many unique features, Smarkets seems like an endeavor worthy of noticing.
Its user-centered approach is especially well appreciated among punters because it allows the creation of a self-governed community that does not answer only to the bookies’ interests.
If you want to partake in said community, you only need to open a betting account with a broker and enjoy the benefits.