matchbook:-prediction-market-is-launching-in-uk-as-‘road-test’-before-us

Matchbook: prediction market is launching in UK as ‘road test’ before US

Reading Time: 2 minutes
White background with Matchbook logo in the middle (red circle, with M in the middle in white). Matchbook: prediction market is launching in UK as 'road test' before US

A prediction market will soon be entering the UK as sports betting exchange Matchbook says its technology debut in January will be a ‘road test’ ahead of potential United States entry.

The company, which is majority-owned by professional gambler Zeljko Ranogajec, is also seeking to obtain US regulatory approval which is expected to be gained as early as March. If this comes to fruition, it means the prediction market leaders Polymarket and Kalshi will have further competition. This comes after sportsbook operators FanDuel and Fanatics have recently entered the industry too.

Over in the UK, Matchbook will launch the product under its current license with the UK Gambling Commission. The focus will be on sport and it’ll also introduce a prediction market as a white-label provider for easyBet.

In an interview with Bloomberg, the interim chief executive officer Ronan McDonagh said: “It’s not new in the sense that it works on the same engine as an exchange.

“It should be more understandable, so I think we’re hopeful that it captures a new audience or it intrigues people to have a look.”

Matchbook will launch prediction market-style exchange in January in UK

The company already offers a betting exchange, but this introduction will see the display of contracts change from the usual fractional odds to a percentage probability for ‘yes’ or ‘no’ outcomes.

Matchbook has been operating as a sports exchange for around 20 years and while the UK has plenty of betting platforms, it doesn’t have Polymarket and Kalshi as these aren’t able to be used across the pond.

Speaking on a potential US entry, McDonagh expanded on the brand which has less brand recognition in the States: “We’re not sentimental about going in as Matchbook.

“We’ve been in the exchange business so long and we’ve got a really strong tech platform. We’ve got strong market making partners, liquidity and a great product. We’ll be able to complete on day one in the US.”

ReadWrite has reached out to Matchbook for comment.

Featured Image: Via Matchbook Facebook photo

The post Matchbook: prediction market is launching in UK as ‘road test’ before US appeared first on ReadWrite.