Most professional bettors use a combination of bookmaker and exchange accounts. The Asian bookmakers (Pinnacle, SBO, ISN) are the core for pre-match value. The exchanges (Betfair in particular) add liquidity for in-play trading, lay betting, and markets that bookmakers don't offer cleanly. The question of whether to access exchanges through a broker or directly is not about which broker is best: it is about whether using a broker for this purpose makes financial sense at all.
The short answer: for most bettors, direct exchange access is cheaper than via a broker. The longer answer is that there are specific situations where broker exchange access becomes the right choice. This page covers both.
Why Brokers Provide Exchange Access
Betting brokers built their model around solving a specific problem: access to Asian bookmakers (principally Pinnacle and SBO) that restrict or block direct registrations from most Western and Irish bettors. Exchange access was added as a secondary feature, a convenience layer for clients who already had a broker account and wanted to consolidate their activity.
Betfair and most major exchanges accept direct registrations from Ireland and most European countries. The country restriction problem that drives brokers' core value does not typically apply to exchanges. This is why exchange access via broker is a secondary feature rather than the primary reason to use one.
Consolidation
One funded account for both Asian bookmakers and exchanges. Useful if you want to avoid managing multiple separate balances across different platforms.
Country Restrictions
If your country restricts both Betfair and Asian bookmakers, a broker may provide the only available access to both via a single regulated account.
Premium Charge Management
Betfair applies a Premium Charge to highly profitable accounts. Some bettors route specific activity via brokers as part of a broader activity distribution strategy.
The Commission Reality : Why Direct Is Usually Cheaper
The core economic problem with accessing exchanges via a broker is the double commission structure. You pay exchange commission on your winnings as normal, and you also pay the broker's commission on top. The practical result looks like this:
| Route | Exchange commission | Broker commission | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Betfair | 5% of net winnings | None | 5% |
| Via broker | 5% of net winnings | ~1% of stakes | ~6%+ |
| Direct Betfair (PC affected) | 40–60% of net winnings | None | 40–60% |
| Via broker (PC scenario) | Avoided / reduced | ~1% of stakes | Lower total cost |
For the vast majority of bettors who are not affected by Betfair's Premium Charge, direct exchange access is the economically correct choice. The Premium Charge scenario (where going via a broker becomes potentially cheaper) applies only to accounts that Betfair classifies as highly profitable over a rolling period.
Which Broker Is Best for Exchange Access?
If you have concluded that exchange access via a broker is the right approach for your situation, the choice narrows to brokers that explicitly support exchange accounts. Not all brokers in the market provide exchange access: their offering is centred on bookmakers.
| Broker | Betfair Access | Orbit / Other Exchanges | Asian Books | Commission | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AsianConnect | Yes (select) | Select | Pinnacle, SBO, ISN, MaxBet | ~1% stakes | Asian book focus, exchange as secondary |
| BetInAsia | Limited | Limited | Pinnacle, SBO, ISN | ~1% stakes | Asian specialist: not exchange-first |
| MadMarket | Yes | Yes | Pinnacle, SBO, Asian suite | ~1–1.5% stakes | Exchanges + Asian books consolidated |
| SportMarket | Yes (select) | Select | Broad access | 1–2% stakes | Broad access, experienced operators |
MadMarket has the clearest positioning for exchange access alongside Asian books: it is explicitly marketed as a consolidated platform providing access to both. AsianConnect is the stronger choice if Pinnacle and Asian Handicap markets are the primary goal and exchange access is a secondary convenience. For most Irish bettors, the recommended setup remains: AsianConnect or BetInAsia for Asian books, plus a direct Betfair account for exchange activity.
The Recommended Professional Setup
Professional bettors who use both Asian bookmakers and betting exchanges typically run the following setup:
For Asian Books
Use a betting broker (AsianConnect or BetInAsia) to access Pinnacle, SBO, ISN, and Asian Handicap markets. This solves the country restriction problem and eliminates account profiling. Commission of approximately 1% is the trade-off for unrestricted institutional access.
For Exchanges
Register directly with Betfair (and optionally Orbit Exchange, Smarkets, or Betdaq). Direct exchange accounts are typically available from Ireland and most European countries. Avoid the double commission structure by not routing exchange activity through a broker unless you have a specific reason to do so.
The exception to this setup is if you are based in a country where both Betfair and the Asian bookmakers are restricted. In that case, a broker that explicitly provides access to both categories (MadMarket or a broker with confirmed exchange access in your jurisdiction) may be the only practical route.
For a full guide to betting exchanges and their direct access options, see how betting exchanges work and best betting exchanges in 2026. For the broker comparison specifically around Asian book access, see best broker for Asian bookmakers.
Frequently Asked Questions : Brokers and Exchange Access
Can you access Betfair through a betting broker?
Yes. Some betting brokers including AsianConnect and MadMarket provide access to Betfair alongside Asian bookmakers, allowing you to consolidate exchange and bookmaker activity under one funded account. However, for routine Betfair use without a country restriction, going direct to Betfair is typically cheaper since there is no broker commission layer on top of exchange commission.
Why would I use a broker for exchange access instead of going direct?
Three main reasons: (1) you are based in a country where Betfair or Orbit Exchange is restricted; (2) you want to consolidate all your betting activity (bookmaker and exchange) into one funded account; (3) Betfair has applied a Premium Charge to your account, and routing some activity via a broker may form part of a broader strategy to manage that. For most bettors without these specific problems, direct exchange access is the right approach.
Is broker commission worth paying for exchange access?
Usually not for routine exchange use, because you pay both the exchange commission and the broker commission. A typical setup (5% Betfair commission plus 1% broker commission) means roughly 6% of winnings going in costs. Direct Betfair at 5% is meaningfully cheaper. The exception is when exchange access through a broker solves a specific problem (country restriction, Premium Charge management, or account consolidation) that has no cheaper solution.
Which broker provides the best access to Betfair specifically?
MadMarket and AsianConnect both provide Betfair access alongside their Asian bookmaker suite. MadMarket has positioned itself specifically around the combination of exchanges and Asian books via one account, making it a natural choice if Betfair access alongside Pinnacle and SBO is the priority. AsianConnect is the stronger choice if Pinnacle and Asian Handicap access is the primary goal and exchange access is secondary.
Does Orbit Exchange work via brokers?
Orbit Exchange is generally accessible directly from Ireland and most countries, so broker access is rarely necessary. However, some brokers do provide Orbit alongside their bookmaker suite. If consolidation is the goal, check with your broker directly. For Orbit-specific use (particularly cricket or football pre-match), direct registration is straightforward and avoids the double commission structure.
What is the right setup for a professional bettor using both Asian books and exchanges?
The most efficient setup for most professional bettors is: a broker account (AsianConnect or BetInAsia) for Asian bookmaker access, plus a direct Betfair account for exchange activity. This avoids the double-commission problem on exchange bets while keeping full access to Pinnacle, SBO, and the Asian suite via the broker. Some bettors add a direct Orbit Exchange or Smarkets account for pre-match sports where Betfair liquidity is less critical.