Arbitrage betting (sure betting or arbing) means a betting strategy designed to wager 2 (usually) bets at 2 different bookies on different outcomes of the same event resulting in a win for a bettor, regardless of the result. Such a strategy uses discrepancies in odds set by different bookies.
[!] In this article, the Arbitrage situation term is equal to the Surebet term. These are equivalent concepts.
There are many reasons for the occurrence of arbitration situations sports in betting. One of the main ones is competition between the bookies. To attract a potential bettor, the bookmakers set inflated odds for some sports events, and that is how the surebets occur.
A surebet means a situation occurring in sports betting due to discrepancies in odds set for opposite outcomes of the same sports event by different bookies. Such situation may result in such an occasion that, having found a discrepancy, the bettor will be able to wager on all possible outcomes of event and, regardless of the outcome, win.
You can calculate a surebet quite easily, using a proper formula. But the manual searching for surebets with wagering bets in time is quite a difficult task. That's why we have special software designed for scanning for surebets, BetBurger. With the help of this service, you will be able to get full access to thousands of surebets in a matter of seconds.
[!] We also recommend to read the “What is the EV Betting?” article.
There are two types of surebets, quite different in their operation with:
Let's take a look at a Hockey match between Team 1 and Team 2. Suppose we've found the following odds at 2 different bookies:
| Team 1 | The BO | Team 2 |
| 1.22 | Bet365 | 3.7 |
| 1.44 | William Hill | 2.89 |
Bet365: L = 1 / 1.22 + 1 / 3.7 = 1.089
William Hill: L = 1 / 1.44 + 1 / 2.89 = 1.040
Based on the calculation, we've found that the profit (margin) of Bet365 = 8.9%, and 4.0% of William Hill, regardless of the outcome.
Let's suppose that Bet365 suggests the win of Team 1, whereas William Hill - the win of Team 2:
L = 1 / 3.7 + 1 / 1.44 = 0.964
Having calculated the inversion, we can see that L is less than 1 for opposite bets. This means that both outcomes are suitable for us. Let's proceed with further calculations.
Let's say we have $1,000. We need to calculate how much to wager in Bet365 and in William Hill:
V1 = 1,000/(0.964 x 3.7) = $280
V2 = 1,000/(0.964 x 1.44) = $720
To get guaranteed profit, we must wager $280 on the win of Team 1 (at Bet365), and $720 - on the win of Team 2 (at William Hill).
Now we can calculate our profit from the total stake.
In case of the win of Team 1
P = 280 x 3.7 - (280 + 720) = $36
In case of the win of Team 2
P = 720 x 1.44 - (280 + 720) = $36.8
Your total winnings will be $1,036 regardless of the winner of the event. The net profit will be 3.6% of the $1,000 stake. We advise to take this into account when betting with surebets, because your bank may charge a bank fee for depositing and withdrawing funds (usually, it is not higher than 1%), reducing the final amount of your profit.
Using the manual method of surebets search, you greatly reduce your options of finding really profitable ones. In this case, you simply cannot calculate all real-time surebets on the market, for a lack of time (the odds change quickly).
We recommend using BetBurger's automated surebet software. Using our service you will get quite a lot of advantages:
We have made a detailed guide on how to operate with surebets using the BetBurger service here, check it out!
Surebetting is completely legal. But bookmakers have their rules prohibiting wagering bets with surebets. To struggle with arbers, the bookies use various types of bettor behavior analysis:
[!] Read more on this topic here: Arbitrage Betting Software
What is an arbitrage betting?
Arbitrage betting means a betting strategy where a bettor makes a profit regardless of the outcome of a sports event.
How much can you earn by betting on arbitrage situations?
Usually, the profit from surebets is limited to 5-10% of the betting stake amount.
Is it legal to bet on arbitrage situations?
De jure, yes. But from the point of view of the bookies - no, because it violates their terms.
Can the bookie block a bettor?
Yes, the bookie is able to block the bettor, along with its account. Alternatively, it may limit the bettor's highest possible betting stake amount. Read more on this topic in our article.
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