What is Arb Betting? You can make guaranteed profits from sports betting, whatever the game’s outcome.
Sports arbitrage betting (or “arbing” for short) is a clever way to win money. You place bets on every possible result with different bookmakers to secure your profits. This method takes advantage of odds differences between sportsbooks, so you’ll win no matter who comes out ahead. The global iGaming market will likely hit $114.4 billion by 2028, which makes this skill more valuable than ever.
The profits aren’t huge right away. A $100 bet might only net you $10 or less, but these small gains quickly stack up. Some arbers aim for a modest 5-15% profit per bet and could pocket thousands in tax-free money each year with consistent effort.
This piece covers everything you need to start arbing successfully. You’ll learn how betting volume and location create arbitrage opportunities, and how to calculate your stakes the right way. Let’s explore how you can outsmart the bookmakers at their own game!
What is Arbitrage Betting and How Does It Work?
Sports bettors dream of finding arbitrage betting – a strategy that uses math to guarantee profits no matter who wins or loses. Traditional gambling relies on luck, but arbitrage betting depends on math and market inefficiencies.
Definition of arbitrage betting
“Arbing” or “sure betting” lets you bet on every possible outcome of a sporting event through different bookmakers. The odds these bookmakers offer mathematically guarantee a profit. Bookmakers sometimes disagree about event probabilities, which creates pricing gaps you can use to your advantage.
This strategy comes from financial trading, where traders make money from price differences between markets. Betting arbitrage happens when the combined implied probabilities total less than 100%. These chances appear when bookmakers disagree about event outcomes or make pricing mistakes.
How arbing exploits odds differences
Bookmakers don’t always see eye to eye – that’s a fact that arb betting uses. Different odds from various bookmakers on the same event create opportunities. To name just one example, a tennis match might have Bookmaker A offering 2.20 odds (45.45% implied probability) for Player A’s win, while another sets 1.68 odds (59.52%) for Player B. The combined probability reaches 105%.
You might find situations where combined probabilities fall under 100% when checking multiple bookmakers. Here’s an example:
- Bookmaker A sets +110 odds (47.62% implied probability) for Team X
- Bookmaker B offers +115 odds (46.51% implied probability) for Team Y
- Combined probability: 94.13% (under 100%)
Strategic wagers on each outcome ensure profit, whatever the result. The returns are nowhere near huge – most arbitrage chances yield less than 1.2%. You need significant capital to make meaningful money.
Back/back vs. back/lay arbitrage
The betting world has two main arbitrage strategies: back/back and back/lay arbitrage.
Back/back arbitrage means placing “back” bets on all possible outcomes through different bookmakers. A football match would need you to back Team A with one bookmaker, Team B with another, and maybe the draw with a third. This was the main arbitrage method before betting exchanges existed. Finding opportunities became harder as bookmakers started matching their odds more closely.
Betting exchanges made back/lay arbitrage possible. This method lets you back an outcome with a regular bookmaker while “laying” (betting against) the same outcome on a betting exchange. The sort of thing I love is backing Player A to win at 2.2 odds with a bookmaker while laying the same player at 1.98 odds on an exchange.
Back/lay arbitrage makes things easier since you only need two bets instead of covering every possible outcome. Betting exchanges welcome arbitrage bettors, but regular bookmakers might restrict accounts they suspect of arbing.
The strategy needs quick math skills, solid bankroll management, and fast action as odds move faster during live events.
How to Start Arbitrage Betting as a Beginner
The right preparation and tools are essential when you start arbitrage betting. Your success depends on knowing how to spot and act on odds differences quickly. Here’s how to get started properly.
Sign up with multiple bookmakers
Multiple bookmaker accounts are the foundations of arbitrage betting. Finding profitable arbs becomes nearly impossible without them. You’ll need these key elements to start:
- Sharp bookmakers: Pinnacle Sports stands out as one of the oldest arbitrage-friendly betting sites. They welcome smart bettors and offer very high odds thanks to their low house edge. Regular arbers won’t face limits here. Their quick odds updates create many arbitrage chances compared to soft bookies.
- Betting exchanges: Betfair has been a vital platform for arbitrage bettors over the last several years with its “smart bettors welcomed” policy. Exchanges work exceptionally well for back/lay arbitrage chances.
- Betting agents: Asian bookmaker access might be limited in countries like Germany or the UK. In these cases, betting agents like BetInAsia, AsianConnect88, or VOdds can help. These services let you access multiple Asian bookies through one platform, which substantially increases your profit potential.
Note that most arbitrage-friendly bookmakers verify accounts with large deposits to prevent money laundering. Even Pinnacle might ask for proof about your source of funds, so have your documentation ready.
Use odds comparison tools
You can find arbitrage opportunities manually, but it takes too much time. Most successful arbers use specialised software instead:
Manual odds comparison means using sites like Oddschecker to find sporting events with two outcomes. Then you need to find the highest odds for each outcome from different bookmakers. Next comes calculating whether these odds give you an arbitrage chance before placing bets.
Software tools offer a better solution by scanning bookmakers automatically. BetBurger connects with hundreds of bookmakers – from global giants to small local ones. You get access to both value bets and sure bets under the same subscription. RebelBetting has become popular among beginners searching for arbitrage opportunities.
Advanced arbers often use API access to spot opportunities faster. Some services show up to 1,800 surebets and valuebets per minute through API, which helps you react quickly to short-lived opportunities.
Understand market liquidity
Market liquidity shows how much money moves through a betting market at any time. This affects your arbing success in several ways:
Markets with high liquidity usually have more precise and competitive pricing. Large numbers of participants make prices adjust quickly toward consensus probability. The result is stable odds with narrower bid-ask spreads, making execution more reliable. NFL point spreads are a good example of high-liquidity markets.
Low liquidity markets often have more pricing gaps (potential arbs), but placing these bets can be tricky. Exchanges might limit available stakes, so you can’t always bet your full intended amount.
Experience will teach you about market “width” – the gap between odds on opposing outcomes. Tight widths (like -110 on both sides) show strong liquidity and an efficient market. Wider spreads (such as -120 on each side) point to limited liquidity or higher uncertainty.
Start with smaller bets in more liquid markets while learning. As you build confidence, explore less liquid markets where bookmakers don’t watch odds as closely. These markets often hide more opportunities.
Using an Arbitrage Calculator to Place Bets
Your success in arb betting depends on making precise calculations after spotting potential arbitrage chances. The first step is mastering arbitrage calculators.
How to calculate the arb percentage
The arb percentage shows if you can make a profit. This simple calculation reveals whether odds from different bookmakers give you a mathematical edge. You need the combined percentage to be below 100%.
The basic formula is: Arbitrage % = ((1 / decimal odds for outcome A) × 100) + ((1 / decimal odds for outcome B) × 100)
Let’s look at a tennis match between two players. Bookmaker 1 gives odds of 1.9 for Player A to win, while Bookmaker 2 offers 2.2 for Player B. The calculation goes:
- Player A: (1 / 1.9) × 100 = 52.63%
- Player B: (1 / 2.2) × 100 = 45.45%
- Total: 98.08%
The total of 98.08% falls below 100%, which means you have found a profitable arbitrage chance.
Distributing stakes correctly
The right stake distribution will give you the same profit no matter the outcome. Once you spot an arbitrage chance, you need to calculate the bet amount for each outcome.
This formula helps determine individual bet amounts: Individual Bet = (Total Investment × Individual Odds Percentage) / Total Arbitrage Percentage
Many arbers use online arbitrage calculators. These tools are a great way to get the optimal betting amounts for each outcome when you enter the odds and total stake.
Example of a real arbitrage bet
Let’s look at a real tennis match example. The odds comparison sites show Bookmaker 1 offering 1.9 for Player A and Bookmaker 2 offering 2.2 for Player B. With a £500 total investment:
Player A stake = (£500 × 52.63%) / 98.08% ≈ £268.45 Player B stake = (£500 × 45.45%) / 98.08% ≈ £231.55
Your guaranteed profit would be around £9.64 (1.93% of your investment) regardless of the winner.
The calculations change slightly for back/lay arbitrage between bookmakers and exchanges. The formula becomes: Lay stake = (back price × back stake) / (current lay odds – exchange commission)
In the end, arbitrage betting profits usually range between 0.5% and 4% per bet. These small gains build up over time. Professional arbers who target 5-15% profit per bet can earn substantial tax-free income with consistent effort.
Risks and Challenges in Arbitrage Betting
“Risk-free” arb betting actually comes with big challenges that can turn guaranteed profits into unexpected losses. You need to understand what it all means before you start arbitrage betting.
Bookmaker restrictions and bans
Bookmakers see arbitrageurs as a threat to their business model and use advanced methods to identify and restrict them. Many sportsbooks track betting patterns that point to arbitrage activity.
A bookmaker who spots you as an arber will likely hit you with:
- Stake limits that cut your maximum bets to tiny amounts (sometimes as low as $1)
- Full account closure or blocks from promotions
- No access to good odds, which ends your arbing career with that bookmaker
Bookmaker’s detection systems spot arbitrageurs through unusual patterns, constant use of odds gaps, and bets with odd amounts like €87.36 instead of round numbers. Limits are bound to happen if you’re a successful arber.
Odds change before bets are placed
The biggest risk in arbing happens when odds change before you finish all your bets. This usually hits after your first bet but before you lock in the second position.
This “odds trap” happens because bookmakers adjust their odds all the time. The odds sometimes change because other arbers target the same chance. You might end up with an uncovered bet that turns your “sure bet” into a regular gamble with possible losses.
Calculation and execution errors
Mistakes during betting can ruin a profitable arb chance. Common slip-ups include:
- Betting on the wrong team or event
- Mixing up half-time and full-time markets
- Placing the wrong stake amounts from calculation errors
- Not having enough funds in the bookmaker accounts to complete all needed bets
These mistakes often happen when people rush to grab quick opportunities. Small errors can lead to big problems—a modest profit chance can turn into a major loss if calculations go wrong.
Note that arbitrage betting software helps cut these risks, but no system is perfect, and human error remains a constant challenge.
Tips to Maximise Profits and Stay Undetected
Success in arb betting needs both skill and discretion. Bookmakers hunt down arbitrage bettors aggressively, so your success depends on staying invisible. Here are proven ways to maximise profits while staying undetected.
Start with small stakes
Arb betting isn’t a quick path to riches but a systematic way to build steady profits. You should start with smaller bets to learn the process really well. This careful strategy helps you build confidence and reduces losses from early mistakes that everyone makes. You need a dedicated bankroll just for arbing—pick an amount you won’t mind losing if things go wrong.
Use multiple devices or VPNs
Bookmakers share data to catch arbers who work on multiple platforms. You need different devices or a solid VPN service to succeed long-term. A good VPN improves your security during money transfers and lets you access geo-restricted bookmaker offers. On top of that, it keeps you anonymous online, which makes it harder for bookmakers to spot your arbing.
Avoid betting patterns that raise red flags
Security teams watch for suspicious behaviours that point to arbitrage betting. These patterns include:
- Your bet amounts should look random instead of rounded (£538.62 rather than £555.91)
- Don’t bet on the same markets or obscure events too often
- Keep your bet sizes reasonable instead of maxing out every time
- Mix in some regular bets or small parlays to look like a casual player
Track your bets and profits
Detailed records of every bet are vital to lasting success. You should note all odds, wager amounts, and profits. This organised approach shows trends in your strategy and reveals problems before they get serious. A basic spreadsheet with dates, times, event names, stakes, profits, and bookmakers will do the job.
Arb Betting – The Conclusion
Arbitrage betting is a mathematically sound approach to sports wagering that guarantees profits whatever the event outcomes. In this piece, we explored how arb betting works. You can exploit odds differences between bookmakers to lock in profits no matter which team or player wins. The coverage includes both back/back and back/lay arbitrage strategies that offer unique advantages based on your situation.
Success in arbing demands careful preparation. Multiple bookmaker accounts are the foundations of profitable arbitrage betting. Odds comparison tools are a great way to get profitable opportunities before they vanish. Market liquidity plays a significant role in your arbing success. It affects both odds stability and your ability to place full stakes.
The mathematical certainty of arb betting comes with its share of challenges. Bookmakers hunt for arbers actively and may restrict or ban suspicious accounts. Odds can move before you place all necessary bets. This turns your “sure bet” into a regular gamble. Simple calculation errors pose substantial risks that quickly turn profits into losses.
Smart arbers take steps to maximise profits while staying under the radar. Small initial stakes help you learn without risking big capital. Different devices or VPNs prevent bookmakers from tracking your betting patterns across platforms. Your accounts stay healthy when you avoid suspicious behaviour like oddly specific bet amounts or betting on the same markets repeatedly.
Arb betting won’t make you rich overnight. Most opportunities yield modest 1-4% returns per bet. You need patience and consistency to build meaningful profits. Proper bankroll management, careful execution, and strategies outlined here can help you earn substantial tax-free income through arbitrage betting. The mathematical edge remains one of the few real advantages available to sports bettors today.
Your Arb Betting FAQs
Q1. What is arbitrage betting, and how does it work? Arbitrage betting, or “arbing,” involves placing bets on all possible outcomes of a sporting event across different bookmakers to guarantee a profit. It works by exploiting differences in odds between sportsbooks, allowing you to win regardless of the event’s outcome.
Q2. How much profit can I expect from arbitrage betting? Profit margins in arbitrage betting are typically modest, often ranging from 0.5% to 4% per bet. With a total stake of $100, you might expect to profit $10 or less. However, consistent application can lead to significant earnings over time.
Q3. What are the main risks involved in arbitrage betting? The primary risks include bookmaker restrictions or bans, odds shifting before all bets are placed, and calculation or execution errors. These can transform guaranteed profits into unexpected losses if not managed carefully.
Q4. How can I avoid detection by bookmakers when arb betting? To avoid detection, start with small stakes, use multiple devices or VPNs, avoid suspicious betting patterns, and mix in occasional regular bets. Also, round your bet amounts and avoid consistently betting on the same markets or obscure events.
Q5. What tools do I need to start arbitrage betting? To start arb betting, you’ll need accounts with multiple bookmakers, odds comparison tools or specialised software like BetBurger or RebelBetting, and a reliable arbitrage calculator. A dedicated bankroll and a system for tracking your bets and profits are also essential.