Arbitrage betting, also known as “arbing,” enables savvy punters to guarantee a profit by placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event.
However, this strategy, which exploits different odds at various bookmakers, has bookies fighting back with high-tech detection methods.
What exactly is arbing, and why are bookies so against it?
Keep reading to learn how bookmakers try to sniff out arbers, and some crafty tips punters use to avoid getting caught.
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How Arbitrage Betting Works
Arbitrage involves placing multiple bets with different bookmakers to cover all potential outcomes of an event.
By taking advantage of slight differences in odds at various bookies, the bettor locks in a small but guaranteed profit regardless of the result.
For example, Backer A bets $1000 on Team A to win at 2.05 odds, and $950 on Team B at 2.10 odds. This guarantees a $5 profit regardless of whether A or B wins.
While not illegal, arbing exploits bookies’ odds and risks, reducing profits.
So bookmakers utilise advanced tracking methods to identify and crack down on arbers.
How Bookmakers Know That You’re Arbitrage Betting
Bookmakers have many techniques up their sleeves to spot questionable betting patterns that signal arbing activity:
Monitoring Betting Patterns
- Unusually consistently high stakes on outcomes with arbing potential
- Precise balancing of stakes to guarantee profit
Tracking Account Details
- Multiple accounts with the same IP address or betting patterns
- Unusual specificity of stake amounts
Analysing Bet Timing
- Bets placed right before the odds change
- Bets timed with the use of automation tools
Player Profiling
- Algorithms identifying professional betting behaviour
Bonus Abuse
- Churning through bonuses at high volumes
How to Avoid Detection When Arbing
Arbers have adopted some crafty tricks to avoid getting caught:
- Blend in – Mimic typical betting patterns of a casual punter
- Vary odds – Don’t just bet on the best arbitrage odds available
- Mix it up – Make some non-arbitrage bets on popular markets
- Limit bonuses – Don’t aggressively exploit every promo
- Avoid extremes – Don’t bet on odds with locks too good to be true
- Cautious use of automation – Don’t overuse arbitrage alert tools
- Inconspicuous transactions – Moderate withdrawal and deposit amounts/frequency
However, even the sneakiest arbitrage bettor leaves behind traces that bookies can pick up on.
The reality is that arbing always carries inherent risks of account restrictions or banning.
The bottom line? Arbitrage can be profitable but requires meticulous effort to avoid getting caught.
Be aware that bookies have stacked odds in their favor when it comes to detection.
About Ben Leighton
