What is Commission on Betfair?
Commission is the small percentage Betfair takes from your net winnings on a market. You only pay it on markets you come out ahead on, and only on the winnings, never on your stake and never when you lose. For most matched bettors it is the only charge they ever pay.
Why you pay commission
A traditional bookmaker builds its profit margin into the odds it offers. A betting exchange does not. Instead of shading the odds, the exchange lets you bet at fairer prices and takes a small cut of your winnings as commission. That trade is part of why exchange odds are good enough to make matched betting work in the first place.
It is already in the calculator
You do not need to work the commission out by hand. The matched betting calculator has a commission field. Enter the right rate for the market and your lay stake, liability and profit figures all account for it automatically.
Why the rate varies
Commission is not a single fixed number. The rate, which Betfair calls the Market Base Rate, depends on the market you are betting on:
- Sport markets are charged at a different rate to Australian racing markets.
- Racing commission can vary by state and racing code, because of the race field fees Betfair has to pay in different states.
- A very small number of the most profitable customers also pay an extra Premium Charge on top.
Because these rates can change, we do not reprint them here. Always use the rate Betfair currently shows for the market you are betting on.
Where to check the current rates
Betfair keeps an up to date breakdown on their commissions and charges page. That is the source of truth, so it is always correct without us having to update anything here.
Next steps
See how the calculator uses commission in how to use the matched betting calculator, or read the complete guide to matched betting.