Alternatives to PredictIt for UK Users: What to Check

The short answer: what to look for in the UK

PredictIt is a US platform. If you are an adult in the UK looking for a prediction market, start with the licence. Operating these markets in Great Britain without a UK Gambling Commission licence is not legal.

Polymarket and Kalshi block UK users, and neither is licensed in the UK. Using a VPN to get round that puts you outside their terms and outside UK protection.

versus is a prediction market app licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, with markets across politics, finance, sport, AI, crypto and entertainment. The only fee on a trade is a transaction fee of 2% of the stake, added on top and shown before you confirm. While a market is open you can sell your position at the current price instead of waiting for the result.

Beyond the licence, compare fees, ease of use, the range of markets and the help on offer for beginners. Whichever app you choose, you can lose the whole amount you put into a position.

versus: licensed by the UK Gambling Commission

versus holds a UK Gambling Commission licence under account 101143, which you can look up on the Gambling Commission public register.

Prices run from 0p to 100p, and a price is the market's probability estimate. Say a market trades at 62p: the market puts the chance of that outcome at about 62%. A winning contract settles at 100p and a losing one at 0p. Every market names the source that settles it before you trade.

Your loss can never be more than what you put into a position, and there is no leverage and no margin call. Markets settle in ordinary money, not cryptocurrency. Customer money is held separately from company money, and complaints have an independent route. Safer Play in the app includes deposit limits, loss limits, reality checks, time out, self exclusion and GAMSTOP.

You can use versus through the iPhone app on the App Store, the Android app as a direct download from versusapp.com, or the web app in a browser. Learn more about how versus works or see the current predictions.

What to compare: fees

Fees change what a trade really costs, so compare them before you choose. Fees on any platform can change, so check its current terms.

• Compare fee structures: is the fee a percentage of the stake, a charge on each contract, or something else? Is it added on top of the stake or taken out of it?
• Work out the full cost: on versus, the only fee on a trade is 2% of the stake, added on top with no cap. Say you put £10 into a position: the fee is 20p, so you pay £10.20.
• Check deposits and withdrawals: on versus these are free within normal limits.
• Check how selling works: can you sell before the result, and at what price? On versus you can sell your position at the current price while a market is open.

A lower fee does not make trading less risky. You can still lose the whole amount you put in, so set a limit before you start.

What to compare: ease of use

A clear app makes it easier to understand what you are doing, especially if you are new to prediction markets. Look for:

• Clear categories: markets grouped by topic, such as politics, finance and sport.
• Clear prices: the current price for each option, and an explanation of what a price means.
• Clear costs: the fee shown before you confirm.
• Clear rules: the source that settles the market, stated before you trade.

An app that is easy to use should also make it easy to stop. Check that you can set limits, take a break or exclude yourself without searching for the option.

What to compare: range of markets

Some platforms focus mainly on one area, such as politics. Others cover a wider range. If you follow several topics, check that the markets you care about are there.

versus has markets across politics, finance, sport, AI, crypto and entertainment. Markets on crypto topics settle in ordinary money, not cryptocurrency, like every market on versus.

More choice is only useful if you understand the markets you pick. Read how each market settles, stick to topics you know, and keep to the limits you set.

What to compare: help for beginners

If you are new to prediction markets, look for a platform that explains itself clearly before you put any money in.

• Plain explanations: a guide to how prices work and what happens when a market settles. On versus, start with how it works and the FAQ.
• The basics: a price is a probability estimate, and on versus you can sell a position before the result while the market is open.
• Clear verification rules: on versus, you verify your identity with a photo of your government ID and a selfie before your first withdrawal, as anti money laundering law requires. This usually clears in minutes, and withdrawals go back to the method you deposited with.
• Support if something goes wrong: a clear complaints process with an independent route, and safer gambling tools that are easy to find.

Start with topics you understand, set a deposit limit first, and only use money you can afford to lose.

FAQ

What is a prediction market?

A prediction market is a platform where people trade on the outcome of future events, such as elections or sports results. On versus, a price between 0p and 100p is the market's probability estimate.

How does versus compare to other prediction markets?

Features and fees differ between platforms and change over time, so check each one's current terms. versus is licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, covers politics, finance, sport, AI, crypto and entertainment, and charges one fee on a trade: 2% of the stake, added on top and shown before you confirm.

Are prediction markets legal?

It depends on where you are. Operating these markets in Great Britain without a UK Gambling Commission licence is not legal. versus is licensed under account 101143. Polymarket and Kalshi block UK users and are not licensed in the UK.

18+ only. Trade responsibly. BeGambleAware.org and GAMSTOP.