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Arbitrage Betting: when is it good and when is it bad?
Anastasya | Jul 28 2022

 

Arbitrage betting is an effective method suitable for most sports bettors looking for accurate data. It places your bets in an excellent position and helps you earn a consistent profit, whatever the outcome of the match you’re betting on.

 

It is also a powerful sports betting method derived from the financial sector. This approach includes placing repeated bets on the same game to ensure a guaranteed profit. 

 

The most challenging aspect of arbitrage betting is spotting an opportunity. This strategy is looking for possibilities focusing on making money rather than betting on favourite sports teams.

 

Although it may seem easy to learn, mastering it requires time, effort, and experience.

 

But how is this a good thing for sports bettors like you? Arbitrage betting might be beneficial when comparing odds from different Asian bookies. You can get a great list of bookmakers from our VOdds platform and even join our $10,000 prize pool, including a free ticket to the FIFA World Cup in Qatar for the first prize!

 

How does arbitrage betting work?

 

Arbitrage betting aims to uncover inefficiencies in the sports betting market, and you can benefit from them. The role of sportsbooks frequently sets odds so that money is bet on both sides. There are instances when sportsbooks have conflicting odds, which creates a chance to use arbitrage for the bettor’s advantage.

 

On the other hand, it involves various outcomes of a single sporting event. You can bet on two teams simultaneously, even if one is successful and the other is not. If done correctly, you will gain a minimal amount regardless of which side wins.

 

Let’s take a look at this example of an imaginary sports match.

 

Let’s say that the bookmaker adjusted the odds for the match due to a human or technical error:

 

Events Descriptions  Odds
A 1st Team Wins 4.5
B 2nd Team Wins 4
X Draw 2

 

Assume the player bets $195:

 

Event A=$45

Event B=$50

Event X=$100

 

If Team A wins, you will profit:   4.5  X  $45  –  $195  =  $7.5
If Team B wins, you will profit:   4  X  $50  –   $195  =  $5
Your profit in case of an (X) draw:   2  X  $100  –  $195  =  $5

 

When does arbitrage betting become bad for sportsbooks?

 

Arbitrage opportunities only arise when bookmakers calculate probability incorrectly. This can occur if the bookmaker:

 

Fails to respond in real-time to live events. In fast-paced games like basketball and tennis, the odds might alter numerous times every minute. Bookmakers frequently can not respond immediately and change the odds.

 

It raises the odds too high. The sports betting sector is highly competitive. As bookmakers compete for market share, the odds become increasingly inflated. Arbitrage opportunities might arise from a single bookmaker or a difference in odds between numerous bookies for the same event.

 

However, most bookmakers know about ‘arbers’ and have their own rules and regulations to prevent bettors from using this risky strategy.

 

If you take arbitrage betting opportunities more often, you might encounter bet cancellation or abnormal bets, having bet limits, or some might even suspend your account.

 

Read our articles about betting risks so you can avoid these from happening. We also recommend a wide range of betting strategies for your next bets.

 

Try to explore more, and if your current situation needs additional information, log in to VOdds. In our platform, you can find relevant information that will guide you in becoming a successful bettor.