WhichBookmakerHead to head · United Kingdom · verified August 2026
Betway vs Paddy Power
Betway takes it by 0.4 points overall, but Paddy Power still wins specific cases.
Pillar scores
Side by side
| Criterion | Betway | Paddy Power |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 8.4 | 8.0 |
| Typical margin | Around 5% on major football; sharper on esports than most rivals | Around 5.5% on major football — you pay for the promotions |
| Licences | UKGC (UK), Western Cape (ZA), NLRC (NG), MGA (Malta), iGaming Ontario (CA) | UKGC (UK), Irish licence |
| Min. deposit | Varies by market, typically the equivalent of $5–10 | £/€5 |
| Sports | 30+ sports with strong esports and African football coverage | 25+ sports, heaviest on football, horse racing and Gaelic games |
| Features | Live streaming, Cash Out, Bet Builder, Local payment rails | Money-back specials, Bet Builder, Cash Out, Acca insurance |
| Founded | 2006 | 1988 |
| Best for | African markets, Esports, Local payments | Irish racing, Promotions, Gaelic games |
What the price difference actually costs
Betway builds about 5.0% into its prices; Paddy Power about 5.5%. That gap of 0.5 percentage points is not an abstraction — it is money that leaves your account on every settled bet, win or lose.
Indicative cost of the gap
Stake £5,000 across a season and the difference between them is roughly £25 — in Betway's favour.
A simplified illustration on total turnover, not a prediction. It ignores which bets you win, because the margin is charged either way — that is precisely the point.
A welcome offer is paid once. This gap is paid every time you bet, which is why we weight price at 30% of the score and most comparison sites do not weight it at all.
Our verdict
Choose Betway if you want african markets · esports · local payments. It comes out ahead on odds, markets in our scoring, and its licensing position in United Kingdom is UKGC (UK).
Choose Paddy Power if you want irish racing · promotions · gaelic games. It comes out ahead on trust, platform in our scoring, and its licensing position in United Kingdom is UKGC (UK).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Betway or Paddy Power?
Betway scores higher overall (8.4 vs 8.0). Paddy Power can still be the better choice for irish racing.
Is Betway safe and licensed?
Betway holds these licences: UKGC (UK), Western Cape (ZA), NLRC (NG), MGA (Malta), iGaming Ontario (CA). Our trust score for it is 8.9/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.
Is Paddy Power safe and licensed?
Paddy Power holds these licences: UKGC (UK), Irish licence. Our trust score for it is 9.0/10 — the full review explains the reasoning.