Arbers and the Arbitrage Strategy in Sports Betting

The arbitrage strategy assumes that the bettor always plays for profit. This article will provide a detailed explanation of who arbers are, how they make money from betting, and why bookmakers disapprove of this tactic. And if a player decides to use arbitrage, they’ll also find out below how to minimize risks when placing bets with a bookmaker.

Who are arbers

Arbers are a specific type of bettor, and about 90% of them are professionals in their field. While regular sportsbook customers place bets for the thrill, arbers do it for profit, relying on mathematical calculation and precision.

In betting, there are occasional situations where a bookmaker sets the odds for certain outcomes too high. When the difference in odds between two sportsbooks allows for a guaranteed profit regardless of the result, this combination is called an arbitrage opportunity or a “surebet.”

By default, arbitrage involves placing bets on opposing outcomes. If one prediction loses, the success of the other covers the loss and yields a small profit. This is exactly why arbing goes against the rules and business model of bookmakers. Some companies even equate the use of such a strategy with fraudulent behavior. Licensed sportsbooks often try to void suspicious bets, and if a player is “caught,” they impose betting limits.

How the arbitrage strategy works

An arbitrage bet is a combination of 2 or 3 separate wagers. Each prediction acts as a leg of the bet, with the stake calculated based on the ratio of the odds. In its simplest form, it involves betting on both Participant 1 and Participant 2 to win. In practice, combinations like Home Win/Away Win, or outcomes such as Handicap 1 (0)/Away Win or Home Win/Handicap 2 (0) are also used. Advanced bettors expand their range of bets through:

• individual and total over/under markets.
• handicaps with different values.

You can’t build an arbitrage bet within a single account, as bookmakers don’t allow placing bets on opposing outcomes. That’s why multiple sportsbooks are used to execute the wagers.

Implementation of a 1% arbitrage opportunity using the match “Neman Grodno – Aviator Baranovichi” as an example:

• at Liga Stavok, the player placed 10,220 UZS on Handicap 2 (+2.5) at odds of 3.05.
• at BetCity, the opposing bet was 20,720 UZS on Handicap 1 (−2.5) at odds of 1.51.

In total, the bettor spent 30,940 UZS. If Team 1 wins by at least 3 goals, the bookmaker will pay out 20,720 × 1.51 = 31,287.20 UZS. Any win by the away team, or their loss by a margin of 1–2 goals, will result in a payout of 10,220 × 3.05 = 31,171.00 UZS. In both cases, the player earns a profit—either 347.20 or 231.00 UZS depending on the outcome.

How arbitrage opportunities appear

Reasons why such situations occur at bookmakers:

• special offers, including “0% margin” promotions.
• technical errors or delays in odds updates by bookmakers.
• intentional odds inflation to attract customers to a specific event.
• different algorithms used by bookmakers to calculate odds based on event evaluation.
• heavy betting activity (“line pounding”) — high volume and frequency of bets on specific outcomes cause sharp shifts in odds.

Originally, arbers searched for opportunities manually by checking the lines of different bookmakers. But with the advancement of technology, the “lifespan” of an arbitrage opportunity has shrunk to just a few minutes. To lock in profit in time, arbers use:

• specialized online services and scanners to detect arbitrage opportunities.
• a calculator to determine the exact stake for each leg of the bet.
• automated platforms for value betting, middles, and arbitrage execution.

Bookmakers strive to keep their odds aligned. Analytical centers monitor markets 24/7, tracking competitor odds and abnormal betting patterns to quickly adjust their own lines.

What reveals an arber in betting

Distinctive traits by which arbers are identified:

• betting large amounts and/or going all-in.
• depositing large sums of money.
• duplicating bet slips to bypass limits.
• adding funds before the previous bet has been settled.
• withdrawing money immediately after a winning bet is settled.
• placing unusual bets with odd amounts, down to the last decimal.

If a user consistently applies a no-risk strategy, the bookmaker’s security team will eventually take notice.

Methods bookmakers use to detect arbers

Methods used to detect arbers:

• software tools — scanners and automated monitoring systems.
• infiltration — engaging in thematic communities and forums.
• analytics — collecting data and analyzing behavior patterns typical of arbers.
• baiting — intentionally inflating odds to attract attention to a specific match.

After identifying a violator, bookmakers apply various sanctions:

• requesting re-verification when attempting to withdraw funds.
• limiting odds, bet size, or number of bets allowed.
• blacklisting and banning the user from placing further bets.
• freezing or permanently blocking the account.

The most common measure is cutting betting limits and increasing the required amount for deposits or withdrawals. Additionally, if a bet appears suspicious, bookmakers may settle it at odds of 1.0.

Rules for safe and discreet arbitrage betting

It’s advisable to follow 6 recommendations:

• avoid going all-in and using irregular stake amounts.
• alternate arbitrage betting with regular single bets.
• don’t place multiple bets on the same event.
• stop withdrawing funds after every successful bet.
• try to round off deposit amounts and bet sizes.
• place fewer bets on small markets and “exotic” competitions.

It’s also best to avoid logging into multiple accounts from the same device. Bookmaker monitoring may include tracking IP addresses, device IDs, or cookies. Ideally, have mobile apps installed for some bookmakers on your smartphone, and access others via websites on a computer, tablet, or laptop.

Conclusion

Arbitrage betting is a strategy that allows you to play without the risk of going into the red. However, it comes with its own complexities, which is why it can’t be considered simple or universal. An arber must register with multiple bookmakers, frequently deposit and withdraw funds, and use online scanners to find suitable outcomes. Most of these services require a paid subscription, as the free versions typically offer opportunities with a return of no more than 1%.

The question of feasibility remains open. With few exceptions, bookmakers generally view arbers negatively. If a player actively uses this method, they may face various sanctions, including account suspension. However, if the strategy is not abused and the bettor follows the principles of cautious play, arbitrage betting can become a useful tool.

FAQ

Is arbitrage betting considered legal activity?

No. Arbers violate the principles of fair play because they exploit arbitrage situations to bypass the bookmaker’s system.

Should you create multiple accounts for withdrawing funds?

Multi-accounting with a single bookmaker is not worth it. If the administration detects a violation, all of the user’s accounts will be blocked without the possibility of recovery. Additional accounts should not be created for withdrawing funds, but rather to place bets across different bookmakers.

Do long-lasting arbitrage strategies exist?

If we’re talking about a more “long-lasting” alternative, the middling strategy (also known as corridors) fits the description well. In this approach, the bettor doesn’t just take opposing outcomes, but defines a range of likely results through strategically placed bets. In this case, either both bets win, or only one does — significantly reducing risk.