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Arbitrage
sports bettingPlacing bets on all possible outcomes of an event across different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit regardless of the result.
Key Takeaways
- 1Arbitrage guarantees profit by exploiting odds differences
- 2Requires accounts at multiple sportsbooks
- 3Opportunities are rare and margins are thin
- 4Sportsbooks may limit accounts that arb frequently
What is Arbitrage in Sports Betting?
Arbitrage (or "arbing") is a strategy where a bettor places wagers on all possible outcomes of an event at different sportsbooks, exploiting differences in odds to guarantee a profit regardless of the result.
How It Works
Arbitrage opportunities arise when the combined implied probabilities of all outcomes at different sportsbooks total less than 100%. This means the market is inefficient, and a guaranteed profit exists.
Example
- Sportsbook A: Team A at +150 (implied probability: 40%)
- Sportsbook B: Team B at +120 (implied probability: 45.45%)
- Combined: 85.45% — an arbitrage opportunity exists!
The Math
If the combined implied probability is less than 100%, the difference is your guaranteed profit margin. Use our Arbitrage Calculator [blocked] to find the optimal stake distribution.
Challenges
- Opportunities are rare and short-lived
- Sportsbooks may limit or ban accounts that consistently arb
- Requires accounts at multiple sportsbooks
- Small margins mean you need large bankrolls for meaningful profits