Arbing, short for arbitrage betting, is a strategy that lets bettors make a profit by taking advantage of price differences between bookmakers and betting exchanges. These opportunities arise when bookmakers offer odds that differ significantly from those available on an exchange, allowing bettors to cover all possible outcomes and lock in a profit regardless of the event's result.
Arbitrage betting is also known as sure betting or sports arbitraging.
How does arbing work?
Arbing occurs when a bookmaker offers odds that are higher than the odds available for laying the same selection on a betting exchange. By placing a back bet with the bookmaker and a lay bet on the exchange, you can secure a profit regardless of the outcome. If you need a refresher on how those marketplaces work, our explainer on what betting exchanges are covers the fundamentals.
Example of an arbitrage bet
- William Hill offers odds of 3.0 for Manchester United to win.
- Betfair lay odds are 2.8.
- Back £100 at 3.0 → potential £200 profit from the bookie.
- Lay £107.14 at 2.8 → win £107.14 if Man Utd loses.
- Outcome: profit of £7.14 regardless of result.
Is arbing legal?
Yes, arbing is completely legal. However, bookmakers don't like it because it removes their edge. If detected, they may limit or close your account to stop you from exploiting their odds, so keep our advice on avoiding gubbing in mind.
Risks of arbing
- Account restrictions: bookmakers may ban or limit your account.
- Odds movement: odds can change before both bets are placed.
- Betting limits: bookmakers may not accept large stakes.
- Calculation errors: miscalculating stakes can turn a planned profit into a loss.
How to find arbitrage betting opportunities
1. Manual searching
Compare odds across multiple bookmakers and exchanges like Betfair. Look for high-liquidity sports like football or horse racing where odds fluctuate more often.
2. Arbitrage betting software
Use specialist tools to scan for arbs automatically. Tools like the Oddsmatcher on AiProfit can help you spot discrepancies between back and lay prices instantly, while our matched betting calculator helps you balance stake sizes once you find an opportunity.
3. Taking advantage of price boosts
Bookmakers frequently boost odds to attract users. These inflated odds can create arbitrage opportunities when compared with exchange prices. Our price boost matcher flags these situations for you, and pairing it with the Oddsmatcher makes it easy to compare value.
How to avoid detection by bookmakers
- Avoid huge stakes on niche events.
- Place mug bets to look like a regular bettor. Our value betting guide shows how to do that without sacrificing long-term profit.
- Split your activity across different bookmakers.
- Use betting shops for sharbing (offline arbitrage).
Arbing FAQ
Is arbing risk-free?
No betting strategy is completely risk-free. Arbing carries practical risks like odds movement, stake limits, and account bans, so size stakes carefully and double-check your maths.
Can bookmakers ban me for arbing?
Yes. If you consistently take value or arbs, they may stake-limit or close your account.
How much money can I make from arbing?
Profits vary. You might make a few pounds per arb, but the available margins are usually small and short-lived, so realistic expectations and good bankroll discipline matter.
What's the difference between arbing and matched betting?
Matched betting uses bookmaker free bets and promotions to lock in profit. Arbing doesn't rely on promotions; it uses odds differences between markets.
How does AiProfit help with arbing?
AiProfit focuses on matched betting but includes tools like our price boost matcher and Oddsmatcher that can uncover profitable arbs, especially on boosted markets.
Read next: all matched betting strategies, our value betting guide, and the Oddsmatcher tool.