With a clean trading interface and odds that beat traditional bookies it’s easy to understand why people want to access Smarkets from a range of countries around the world.
However, accessing the platform when travelling or living abroad is more complicated.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which countries legally permit Smarkets and which popular destinations block access. We’ll also cover safer alternatives for restricted regions and how to keep your account active without breaking any rules.
List of Countries Where Smarkets Exchange is Legal
Smarkets is not available in every country, and its legal status is tied directly to the licenses it holds. For UK residents, it’s frictionless and easy to register. For the majority of others it’s harder.
Beyond the UK, Smarkets does provide a fully regulated service for some nations.
These are the primary markets where the exchange is fully legal and operational:
- United Kingdom: The home base. Regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), the platform is fully licensed for remote betting, offering the highest level of consumer protection.
- Ireland: Smarkets has secured an operating license in Ireland, making the Republic another key market where services are fully legal.
- Malta: As a major hub for iGaming, Malta is a crucial jurisdiction. Smarkets operates under a Maltese gaming license, cementing its legitimate status within the European Union.
- Sweden: After receiving approval from the Swedish Gambling Authority, Smarkets launched its exchange there, becoming the second licensed betting exchange in the country.
If you’re a resident in any of the above, your account will work without issue. But what happens when you step off the beaten path?
Restricted Countries and Alternatives
Smarkets team have global dominations on their mind – although in reality, compliance is local. There are several nations where the service is a no-go, often due to strict anti-gambling laws, complex regulatory frameworks, or an unviable local economic climate.
The most notable restricted region is the United States. Despite filing for a CFTC license in 2026 (signalling its huge ambitions), the platform isn’t available to general US punters yet. Other common restricted zones include:
- France: Strict online gambling laws often keep out unlicensed exchanges.
- Australia and Belgium: Both have robust local frameworks that make international exchange betting tricky.
- Turkey, Tunisia, and Ukraine: These are often blacklisted due to local prohibitions or political instability.
For British expats in the banned zone, don’t lose hope. A couple of similar exchanges operate with different geographic reach. Betfair and Matchbook remain excellent alternatives, each offering a slightly different take on the peer-to-peer model.
Matchbook has a strong focus on lower commissions, making it a solid alternative for high-volume traders. However, always check local laws before signing up. If you’re in a restricted country, trying to bypass the system is rarely worth the risk to your funds.
Understanding Smarkets Exchange Global Reach
So, why is the list so short? Smarkets is not a standard bookie, but a highly sophisticated financial trading platform that happens to price political and sporting events. There aren’t many, although it’s among the top betting exchanges in the world.
To operate in a country, they need specific betting or prediction market licenses.
They are currently in regulated markets, holding licenses from the UKGC, the Maltese Gaming Authority (MGA), and the Swedish regulator. Furthermore, they have recently applied for a CFTC license to tackle the US.
They process billions in annual betting volume but they are quite cautious when it comes to regulatory compliance. For UK punters, this selective approach is a massive plus. A leaner compliance list means tighter liquidity in core markets.
Can You Use a VPN to Access Smarkets?
Using a VPN to access Smarkets is strongly advised against. While it may temporarily bypass geo-blocks, it directly violates the platform’s terms of service. Smarkets, like most licensed betting exchanges, employ geolocation tools that detect VPN and proxy usage.
If detected, consequences can be severe. From immediate account suspension to forfeiting funds. Furthermore, UK Gambling Commission rules require operators to verify your location. This is the same for the list of countries Betfair operates in, there’s no getting away from it.
Even if a VPN works temporarily, your eventual KYC verification will flag the location mismatch. For UK punters, the safest approach is to only access your account from your registered country.
How Smarkets Verifies Your Location
Smarkets typically uses IP geolocation to verify your location each time you log in or place a bet. This real-time check ensures compliance with Gambling Commission rules and prevents access from banned countries. Smarkets aren’t alone; Bet365 lists legal countries that are similarly acceptable along with many others.
Key verification methods include:
- Cross-referencing your IP address against licensed regions
- Detecting VPN or proxy traffic through packet inspection
- Flagging mismatches between your registered address and login location
If a location mismatch or VPN is detected, Smarkets can freeze withdrawals, suspend your account, or void bets. That matters because a flagged account risks forfeiting your funds, even for genuine UK users travelling through an unsupported country.
Our Conclusion:
Smarkets is fully legal for UK punters in just four countries: the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, and Sweden. Use it anywhere else, and you risk account suspension. Furthermore, do not use a VPN because it violates the terms and can cost you your funds.
When it comes to comparing Betfair and Smarkets you’ll find that Smarkets offers consistently lower commission than Betfair. Their interface is clean and there’s strong liquidity on major sports and politics. It’s UK Gambling Commission regulated, meaning your money is safe.
For British bettors who stay within licensed territories, you get better value, faster execution, and a reliable exchange. The rest is personal choice…
For me, I personally prefer some of the options, but this is linked to my own strategies.
Related: How Betting Exchanges Work – Simple Beginner Explanation
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I log in from a different country when on holiday?
No, Smarkets uses IP geolocation for live checks. If you log in from a country outside the four licensed regions, the system will likely block your access immediately. It may also suspend your account for security reasons.
Are my Smarkets winnings taxable in the UK?
No, under current UK rules, gambling winnings are not treated as income. There is no Income Tax or Capital Gains Tax applied to what you win. That’s regardless of the amount, provided you are a UK resident using a licensed platform.
What happens if Smarkets detects me using a VPN?
Using a VPN to bypass location blocks directly violates the terms of service. Consequences can include immediate account suspension, permanent termination, and forfeiture of any remaining funds. The system is designed to detect VPN traffic reliably.
