What Is Arbitrage Betting?
Arbitrage betting (also called "arbing" or "sure betting") is a strategy that lets you place bets on all possible outcomes of a sporting event across different bookmakers and lock in a guaranteed profit — no matter who wins.
It sounds too good to be true, but the math is real. When bookmakers disagree on the true probability of an outcome, they sometimes collectively offer odds that add up to less than 100% implied probability. That gap is your profit.
A Simple Example
Suppose there's a tennis match between Player A and Player B:
- —Bookmaker 1 offers 2.10 on Player A to win
- —Bookmaker 2 offers 2.05 on Player B to win
If you bet £100 on Player A and £102.44 on Player B, your total stake is £202.44. If Player A wins, you collect £210. If Player B wins, you collect £209.99. Either way, you walk away with approximately £7.50 profit on a £202.44 investment — a ~3.7% return.
Why Do Arbs Exist?
Bookmakers set their own odds independently. They employ traders and use algorithms, but they don't always agree. Factors that create arb opportunities include:
- —Different risk models — Each bookmaker has its own view of the true probability
- —Promotional boosts — Bookmakers often offer enhanced odds on specific markets
- —Slow line movement — One bookmaker may be slow to update odds after breaking news
- —Soft vs. sharp books — Recreational-facing books take different positions than sharp books
These gaps are usually small (1–5%) and disappear within minutes. Speed is essential.
Is Arbitrage Betting Legal?
Yes. Arbitrage betting is completely legal. You are simply placing bets on different outcomes with different bookmakers — something any punter can do. There is no rule against it.
However, some bookmakers dislike arbers and may restrict or close accounts if they detect consistent arbing behaviour. This is their right as private businesses. Managing your accounts carefully is part of the long-term strategy.
How Much Can You Make?
Returns depend on:
- —Stake size — Larger stakes mean larger profits per arb
- —Number of arbs found — More opportunities = more profit
- —Average margin — Most arbs yield 1–4% per trade
- —Account health — Restricted accounts reduce opportunities
Professional arbers turning over significant volume can generate consistent monthly returns. Beginners starting with smaller stakes can still generate meaningful profits while learning the system.
Tools Make the Difference
Scanning hundreds of bookmakers manually is impossible at the speed arbs appear and disappear. That's where Suremargin comes in. Our platform monitors odds across 40+ bookmakers in real time and alerts you the moment a profitable opportunity opens up — so you can act before it closes.
Next Steps
Ready to start? Create a free account and explore live arb opportunities right now. No credit card required.