Arbitrage (Arbing)
Placing bets on all outcomes of an event across multiple sportsbooks to guarantee a profit.
Arbitrage betting (arbing) involves placing bets on every possible outcome of an event across different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit regardless of the result. This is possible when different books offer prices that, in combination, sum to less than 100% implied probability.
How Arbing Works
Book A offers Team A at +120. Book B offers Team B at +110. By calculating the right stake for each side, a bettor can guarantee profit on either outcome.
Risks and Limitations
While mathematically risk-free, arbing comes with practical risks: account limitations and bans, odds errors corrected before settlement, settlement rule differences between books, and logistical challenges of placing bets quickly enough before lines move.
Key Takeaways
- Arbitrage exploits price discrepancies across sportsbooks for guaranteed profit.
- Profit margins are typically small (1–4%) per arb opportunity.
- Books actively monitor for arb behavior and will limit or close accounts.
- Speed is critical. Opportunities close within minutes.
Examples
- Book A has Team A at +105 and Book B has Team B at +110. Implied probabilities are 48.8% and 47.6%, a total of 96.4%, so an arb exists.
- Stake $488 on the +105 side and $476 on the +110 side. You get back about $1,000 whoever wins, roughly $36 profit on $964.
Related Terms
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1 / 3Do you know what Hedging means?
Placing a bet on the opposite side of an existing wager to reduce risk or lock in profit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is arbitrage betting legal?
Yes. It breaks no laws, but most sportsbooks' terms let them limit or close accounts they suspect of arbing.
How much can you make from arbitrage?
Typical arbs return 1% to 4% of the total stake. The profit is steady but small, and account limits usually cap how long you can keep doing it.