Matchbook, a peer-to-peer betting exchange and market technology company, has successfully acquired Betdaq, a pioneering betting exchange founded by Dermot Desmond in 2000. Betdaq has been a significant player in the exchange betting landscape for over 25 years, catering to exchange bettors worldwide.
As part of the acquisition, the current Betdaq service, managed by EPS Ltd, will continue to operate for trading until October 21, 2026. This timeline ensures a smooth transition for customers, who will also have access to their accounts for withdrawals until November 4, 2026. Throughout this process, customer funds will be safeguarded in accordance with both companies' regulatory requirements. Betdaq customers can find essential dates, FAQs, and options available to them at betdaq.com.
The merger of the two exchanges aims to unify Betdaq's established legacy with Matchbook's advanced pricing, liquidity, and technology, creating a more integrated platform. This combination is expected to result in tighter spreads, larger fills, and improved pricing for users from both exchanges.
The acquisition comes at a time when the peer-to-peer betting model is gaining renewed traction, particularly in the United States, by introducing market-generated pricing to a wider audience. Matchbook has been operating exchange markets for over two decades and has seen growth through initiatives such as easyBet, a collaboration with easyGroup, and ADI PredictStreet, its foray into prediction markets linked to the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Ronan McDonagh, CEO of Matchbook, stated, "Betdaq and Matchbook grew up proving the same idea — that bettors get a better deal when prices are made by a market rather than a margin. A quarter of a century on, that idea is winning: exchanges and prediction markets are bringing peer-to-peer pricing to new audiences around the world, and this acquisition deepens the pool at the heart of everything we build. Our first priority through this transition is Betdaq’s customers: their funds are safe, their options are clear, and in one combined pool, they should find better prices and deeper liquidity than either exchange could offer alone. Everything we are doing — this deal included — is about making the exchange first choice.
This strategic move not only strengthens Matchbook’s position in the market but also enhances the overall experience for customers by offering greater value and more competitive trading opportunities.
