Matched Betting Offers
What is Matched Betting?
Matched betting is a betting technique used by individuals to profit from free bet promotions offered by bookmakers. It is considered risk-free when done correctly because it leverages mathematical principles to guarantee a profit regardless of the outcome of an event. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how matched betting works:
- Sign Up for a Bookmaker Offer: Bookmakers frequently offer promotions to attract new customers, such as free bets or matched deposit bonuses. For instance, a bookmaker might offer a $50 free bet if you deposit and bet $50.
- Place a Qualifying Bet: To unlock the free bet, you often need to place an initial bet with your own money. This is called the qualifying bet. You place this bet on a specific outcome with the bookmaker offering the promotion.
- Lay the Same Bet: To cover all outcomes and ensure a profit, you place an opposite bet (known as a lay bet) on a betting exchange. A lay bet is a bet against a specific outcome occurring. For example, if you bet on Team A to win with the bookmaker, you lay a bet on Team A not to win (which covers both a loss and a draw) on the betting exchange.
- Use the Free Bet: After placing the qualifying bet and receiving the free bet, you repeat the process. Place the free bet on a specific outcome with the bookmaker and lay the same outcome on the betting exchange.
- Guaranteed Profit: By carefully calculating the stakes for both the back and lay bets, you can lock in a profit regardless of the event’s outcome. The profit usually comes from the free bet since the qualifying bet may incur a small loss due to the difference in odds between the bookmaker and the exchange.
Example
- Qualifying Bet: Suppose a bookmaker offers a $50 free bet if you place a $50 bet. You place a $50 bet on Team A to win at odds of 2.0 (1/1) with the bookmaker.
- Lay Bet: On a betting exchange, you lay a bet against Team A winning at odds of 2.0.
- Outcome 1: If Team A wins, you win with the bookmaker but lose the lay bet.
- Outcome 2: If Team A does not win, you lose with the bookmaker but win the lay bet.
- In both outcomes, the money lost and won between the bookmaker and exchange approximately cancel out, with a small loss due to commission on the exchange.
- Free Bet: Now you have a $50 free bet. You place it on Team B to win at odds of 3.0 (2/1) with the bookmaker.
- Lay Bet: You lay a bet against Team B winning at odds of 3.0.
- Outcome 1: If Team B wins, you win with the bookmaker using the free bet, generating pure profit, while you lose the lay bet.
- Outcome 2: If Team B does not win, you lose the free bet but win the lay bet.
- The profit from the free bet is usually the free bet stake minus the commission on the exchange.
Advantages
- Risk-Free: When done correctly, matched betting eliminates the risk associated with gambling.
- Tax-Free: In many jurisdictions, winnings from gambling are tax-free.
Disadvantages
- Time-Consuming: It requires time to find suitable bets and calculate stakes.
- Limited Promotions: Bookmakers may limit or ban accounts that frequently exploit promotions.
Matched betting relies on exploiting the promotional offers in a systematic way to ensure a profit, making it a popular method for people looking to make money online without the typical risks associated with traditional gambling.
Matched Betting Options
If you do not want to get involved in laying bets, and spending a lot of time studying, then an option is just to use your free/match bets on other markets. Using these offers and betting on different markets will increase your win rate.
New Bookies
Match Betting Quick Guide
Sign-up to a new Bookmaker
Ensure you can fulfil all the associated terms and conditions.
Do your market research
Study what markets are going to give the best return
Proceed to Bet & Lay
Bet on your chosen selection, use an exchange to lay alternative(s)
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is matched betting legal?
Yes, it totally is! New bookmakers normally give free bets to new customers as welcome incentive. Bookmakers have to really offer these in order to ensure they continue getting new customers.
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Can you make money from matched betting?
Yes you can! Some customers choose to lay bets after they back some bets. However, you can use your free bets on any market you wish. Utilising your free bet promotions means this increases your probability of winning. However, it would be irresponsible of us not to say there is still the risk you may lose your money, which is still a possibility.
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Can you get banned for matched betting?
Not normally, only really if you are betting large sums of money, and winning!
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Is matched betting a good idea?
If you want a mathematically improved chance of winning then yes it is.
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Can you earn a living from matched betting?
Matched Betting and gambling should not be viewed as a way to earn a living. Having send that, you can make some good income from it.