The new platform, which will run under Matchbook’s existing UK Gambling Commission exchange licence, will initially focus on sports and include a white-label version for easyBet, part of Stelios Haji-Ioannou’s business group. “It’s not new in the sense that it works on the same engine as an exchange,” McDonagh said. “It should be more understandable so I think we’re hopeful it captures a new audience or intrigues people to have a look.”
Matchbook expects to secure U.S. regulatory approval as early as March, according to Bloomberg. Its parent company, Triplebet Ltd., and its U.S. partner RSBIX LLC filed with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in September to launch an exchange, setting up the company to compete with prediction-market operators Kalshi and Polymarket, which have grown rapidly following the 2024 U.S. election cycle.
With less brand recognition in the U.S. than newer rivals, Matchbook is open to partnering with larger firms to widen distribution. “We’re not sentimental about going in as Matchbook,” McDonagh said. “We’ve been in the exchange business so long and we’ve got a strong tech platform, strong market makers, liquidity and a great product. We’ll be able to compete on day one in the US.”
The platform’s UK launch will mirror U.S. prediction-market design, displaying contracts as percentage-based Yes/No probabilities rather than the fractional odds typically used in Britain. Betting exchanges match buyers and sellers rather than taking the opposite side of wagers, and Matchbook has operated in that space for about 20 years.
Matchbook is majority-owned by professional gambler Zeljko Ranogajec and is registered in Guernsey. Brentford FC owner Matthew Benham has reduced his stake to a minority holding.
Prediction markets have surged in the U.S., where Kalshi and Polymarket operate as federally regulated financial exchanges offering contracts on politics, sports and macro-events nationwide. Other major U.S. entrants include Fanatics, which launched its platform in 10 states on Dec. 3; FanDuel, which is partnering with CME Group on an event-contracts venture; DraftKings, preparing its own federally approved predictions platform; and newer operators such as PrizePicks, Underdog, Novig and Truth Predict.
Robinhood has also explored offering prediction markets abroad and has held discussions with the UK Financial Conduct Authority.
Despite the UK’s robust sports-betting ecosystem, Kalshi and Polymarket are not available in the country, where such products would fall under gambling regulation rather than U.S.-style financial-exchange oversight.
Dingnews.com 15/12/2025