What is Arbitrage Betting?

Introduction

Arbitrage betting is a popular betting strategy among experienced bettors that involves taking advantage of differences in odds offered by different bookmakers to make a profit. It is also known as arbing, and it is a highly sought-after strategy for those looking to make consistent profits from sports betting. In this blog post, we will discuss what arbitrage betting is, how it works, and its advantages and disadvantages.

What is Arbitrage Betting?

Arbitrage betting is a strategy where a bettor places bets on all possible outcomes of a sports event with different bookmakers. The goal is to find odds that are higher than the actual probability of the outcome occurring.

Example

Let's say there is a football match between Team A and Team B. A bookmaker offers the following odds:

  • Team A to win: 2.0
  • Team B to win: 3.0
  • Draw: 3.5

The true probability of each outcome is:

  • Team A to win: 50%
  • Team B to win: 33%
  • Draw: 28.5%

If another bookmaker offers odds of:

  • Team A to win: 1.8
  • Team B to win: 3.2
  • Draw: 3.3

The arbitrage bettor can place bets on all outcomes with both bookmakers to guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome. Here is how the bettor would place their bets:

OutcomeBookmaker 1Bookmaker 2
Team A wins$100 @ 2.0 = $200$117.65 @ 1.8 = $211.77
Team B wins$100 @ 3.0 = $300$78.13 @ 3.2 = $249.97
Draw$100 @ 3.5 = $350$71.43 @ 3.3 = $234.03

Regardless of the outcome, the bettor would make a profit of $11.77, $49.97, or $34.03.

Arbitrage betting can be a highly profitable strategy for experienced bettors who are looking to make consistent profits from sports betting. However, it requires a lot of time and effort to find the right opportunities. Bettors need to constantly monitor the odds offered by different bookmakers and be able to quickly identify when there is a price discrepancy. This requires a deep understanding of the sports markets and a lot of research LeoVegas.

Advantages of Arbitrage Betting

  • Low-risk strategy that guarantees a profit
  • Attractive strategy for bettors who are risk-averse and want to minimize their losses
  • Can be a good strategy for bettors who are looking to make consistent profits over time
  • Highly flexible strategy that can be applied to a wide range of sports events

Disadvantages of Arbitrage Betting

  • Requires a significant amount of capital to be successful
  • Not a suitable strategy for casual bettors or those with limited funds
  • Some bookmakers have policies that prohibit arbing, which can make it difficult for bettors to find opportunities and limit their ability to place large bets
  • Requires a lot of time and effort to constantly monitor odds and identify price discrepancies
Benjamin O’Shea
Benjamin O’Sheaverified

In conclusion, arbitrage betting is a highly profitable strategy for experienced bettors who are looking to make consistent profits from sports betting. However, it requires a significant amount of time, effort, and capital to be successful. Additionally, some bookmakers have policies that prohibit arbing, which can make it difficult for bettors to find opportunities and limit their ability to place large bets. As with any betting strategy, it is essential to do your research and understand the risks and rewards before getting started. With the right approach and knowledge, arbitrage betting can be a valuable addition to any bettor's strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Arbitrage Betting

What is arbitrage betting?

Arbitrage betting is a strategy where a bettor places bets on all possible outcomes of a sports event with different bookmakers. The goal is to find odds that are higher than the actual probability of the outcome occurring. By doing this, the bettor can guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome of the event.

Is arbitrage betting legal?

Arbitrage betting is legal in most countries, but some bookmakers prohibit it. It's important to check the terms and conditions of each bookmaker before placing arbitrage bets.

How much capital is needed for arbitrage betting?

Arbitrage betting requires a significant amount of capital to be successful since the profits are generally small. Bettors need to have enough capital to place bets with multiple bookmakers and take advantage of small discrepancies in odds.

Can arbitrage betting be applied to all sports events?

Arbitrage betting can be applied to a wide range of sports events, including football, basketball, tennis, and many others. However, not all sports events may provide suitable opportunities for arbitrage betting.

What are the risks of arbitrage betting?

The main risks of arbitrage betting are that some bookmakers may prohibit it, and it requires a significant amount of time and effort to constantly monitor odds and identify price discrepancies. Additionally, the profits from arbitrage betting are generally small, so it's important to have enough capital to take advantage of multiple opportunities.

Is arbitrage betting suitable for casual bettors?

Arbitrage betting is not suitable for casual bettors or those with limited funds. It requires a significant amount of time, effort, and capital to be successful.

What are the advantages of arbitrage betting?

The main advantages of arbitrage betting are that it is a low-risk strategy that guarantees a profit, and it can be a good strategy for bettors who are looking to make consistent profits over time. Additionally, it is a highly flexible strategy that can be applied to a wide range of sports events.