What is Arbitrage Betting? Complete Guide 2024
Learn how arbitrage betting works, why it's risk-free, and how to find profitable opportunities across multiple bookmakers.
What is Arbitrage Betting?
Arbitrage betting (also known as "arbing" or "sure betting") is a risk-free betting strategy that takes advantage of odds differences between multiple bookmakers. By placing opposing bets on all possible outcomes of an event, you can guarantee a profit regardless of the result.
This strategy works because different bookmakers may have slightly different opinions on the probability of an event, leading to odds discrepancies that create profitable opportunities.
How Does Arbitrage Betting Work?
Example: CS2 Match
Bookmaker A
Team A to win: 2.10 (110/100)
Team B to win: 1.90 (90/100)
Bookmaker B
Team A to win: 1.80 (80/100)
Team B to win: 2.20 (120/100)
Arbitrage Opportunity:
Bet on Team A at Bookmaker A (2.10) and Team B at Bookmaker B (2.20)
Guaranteed profit: ~4.5% regardless of outcome
Benefits of Arbitrage Betting
Risk-Free Profits
Unlike traditional betting, arbitrage guarantees profit regardless of the outcome. You can't lose money on a properly calculated arbitrage bet.
Consistent Returns
While individual profits may be small (1-5%), they're consistent and predictable, making it ideal for building long-term wealth.
No Sports Knowledge Required
You don't need to predict outcomes or have deep sports knowledge. The math does the work for you.
Scalable Strategy
The more capital you have, the more you can profit. It's a scalable strategy that grows with your bankroll.
How to Calculate Arbitrage Opportunities
Arbitrage Formula
Arbitrage % = (1/Odds1 + 1/Odds2) × 100If the result is less than 100%, you have an arbitrage opportunity. The lower the percentage, the higher your guaranteed profit.
Example Calculation:
Odds 1: 2.10, Odds 2: 2.20
Arbitrage % = (1/2.10 + 1/2.20) × 100 = 95.45%
Guaranteed profit: 4.55%
Best Sports for Arbitrage Betting
Esports
CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant - High liquidity and frequent odds movements
Tennis
Two-way markets with clear outcomes and good liquidity
Soccer
High volume of matches and multiple betting markets
Common Arbitrage Betting Mistakes
Not Calculating Properly
Always double-check your calculations. One mistake can turn a profitable arbitrage into a loss.
Betting Too Much
Start small and scale up gradually. Large bets can trigger bookmaker limits or account restrictions.
Ignoring Bookmaker Limits
Bookmakers may limit or close accounts of successful arbitrage bettors. Spread your activity across multiple accounts.
Getting Started with Oddsentry
Ready to start finding arbitrage opportunities? Oddsentry provides real-time arbitrage detection across multiple esports bookmakers.