Vegas Betting
  • VEGAS SPORTSBOOKS & BETTING SITES
    • Bovada
    • BetNow
    • BetOnline
    • BetUS
    • MyBookie
    • Everygame
    • Betting Sites
      • NFL Betting Sites
      • NBA Betting Sites
      • Soccer Betting Sites
      • UFC Betting Sites
      • Boxing Betting Sites
      • Golf Betting Sites
  • LAS VEGAS ODDS
    • Nascar
    • NFL
    • NBA
    • NHL
    • MLB
    • MLS
    • NCAAF
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • UFC
    • Horse Racing
  • DEPOSIT METHODS
    • PayPal Betting Sites
    • Bitcoin Betting Sites
      • Best Bitcoin Wallets
      • Cryptocurrency Gambling Sites
  • IN-CASINO SPORTS BETTING
    • Aria Sportsbook Review
    • Bellagio Sportsbook Review
    • Caesars Palace Sportsbook Review
    • CG Sportsbook Review
    • MGM Grand Sportsbook Review
    • Venetian Sportsbook Review
    • Westgate Sportsbook Review
    • Wynn Sportsbook Review
    • Las Vegas Best Sports Betting Apps
    • Las Vegas Best Sports Betting Bonuses
  • VEGAS PICKS
  • ONLINE CASINOS
    • Betonline Casino
    • Betus Casino
    • Bovada Casino
    • MyBookie Casino
    • Everygame Casino

Home » Vegas Betting Guide » Arbitrage Betting Explained

Arbitrage Betting Explained

By Chris Wassel
Updated June 17, 2024

What is Arbing or Arbitrage Betting?

When something is described as “risk free betting” or “sure betting” — it’s going to turn A LOT of bettors heads. That’s exactly what we have here with arbitrage betting. It’s a form of betting where profits are made not from actual picks, but though the mere act of betting itself. Huh?

We know that can sound weird, if not outright scammy, but give us a few minutes of your time to explain what is arbitrage betting. We assure you it’s legit, but at the same time, it’s not for everybody. In this betting guide, we’ll do our best to break it all down for you.

Arbitrage Betting Explained

Online Sports Arbitrage Betting

Setting betting lines for games or events isn’t an exact science. This is why sometimes you’ll see discrepancies from sportsbook to sportsbook on the same event. One bookies will have the odds at, say, +120, but another sportsbook will have that same event at +130.

Arbitrage betting exploits this discrepancy, no matter how small they may be. An arbitrage bettor would lay down bets at those two sportsbooks (or possibly more) and guarantee themselves profit based on the odd differential alone.

There is no need for an arbitrage betting calculator here, bettors just need dedication, time, and practice to find success. While there is a broad range of betting strategies out there, arbitrage is certainly one of the best when it’s done right.

The bigger the bankroll the bettor has, the more effectively they can arb bet. It’s like hedging, except in this case, the user is wagering on all outcomes at the same time. It differs from hedge betting, as you set yourself up to make a profit no matter what – but this isn’t for the faint-hearted!

How Does Arbitrage Betting Work?

The reason Arbitrage betting is possible is solely based on the fact each sportsbook assigns their own odds to events. Through these slight indescrepencies bettors are able to make huge profits. Top online betting sites, will always offer their own version of vegas betting odds, as they have their own team of oddsmakers.

However, in order to find success bettors must be willing to go line shopping. Line shopping involves looking through the various betting options available and trying to find errors in the odds. Another reason arbitrage betting exists is because all bookmakers have different opinions on the probability of events, so line shoppers should keep an eye out for this. And finally, something we discussed in our guides before, bettors are always adjusting odds in order to attract equal action on both outcomes, which presents another opportunity.

The third point is the most common thing to look out for when line shopping, as this happens all the time on all kinds of betting markets. Much like matched betting, it’s all about taking your time being patient and looking for opportunities to pounce on.

Arbitrage Betting Explained

How to Recognize Arbitrage Opportunites

People often wonder how is arbitrage betting legal – and understandably so, as it’s so easy to recognize using American odds, it seems unfair. Simply put, there are two quick ways to spot arbitrage betting opportunities:

  • When the positive odds are higher than the negative odds
  • When the implied probability calculated of two outcomes is less than 100%

We explained before the value of calculating implied probability and it’s particularly valuable when trying to arb bet. Alternatively, simply looking for a market where the positive (“+”) odds are higher than what is displayed as the negative (“-”) odds, there is an opportunity available to users.

Making Money Using Arbitrage Betting

Let’s use a brief example to clear up any misunderstandings that may have popped up so far throughout the article. So let’s say the Mavericks are facing the Suns and you see the following odds:

  • Sportsbook 1 – Dallas Mavericks +110
  • Sportsbook 2 – Phoenix Suns +110

In this situation, a bettor could place $100 on both teams and if the Mavs win at Sportsbook 1, they would make $110, and lose $100 on the other wager. If the Suns win at Sportsbook 2, the bettor would net $110 and lose $100 on the Mavs. This will ensure the bettor receives a profit of $10.

This is an unlikely event, as finding a guaranteed 10% profit via arb betting is a rarity. However, margins are more realistically somewhere between 1-5%, meaning that bettors have to wager a lot of their bankroll to see sizeable profit – much like we saw with hedge betting.

For a seasoned bettor with a huge bankroll to play with, profits are going to be higher as they can lay down bigger bets. It’s all about steady calculations and sticking to the methodology, this will bring in the profits.

Related Vegas Betting Guides

  • Betting 101
  • Legal Betting Sites
  • Props Betting Guide
  • How to Read Odds
  • Moneyline Betting
  • Matched Betting
  • Safest Betting Sites
  • Sports Betting Strategy
  • Round Robbin Betting
  • Vig Betting Explained
  • Futures Betting Explained
  • Over Under Betting Explained
  • Bankroll Management
  • Kenpom vs Sagarin Rankings
  • Betting Glossary
  • Spread Betting
  • Parlay Betting
Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel

Chris Wassel is someone who has covered a little bit of everything: business, writing, sports, food, grilling, the Olympics, injuries, politics, and more. He has climbed mountains like Mount Washington and Mount San Jacinto in Palm Springs, California, and for those who don’t know, he is also big into food challenges. With friends like Joey Chestnut and Casey Webb, Chris has tackled eating feats like finishing a 16-pound turkey or a 32-inch meat lover's pizza. Since 2013, he has focused on fitness, fishing, and sports while managing to fit in running, hiking, rock climbing, and even the occasional mini-triathlon. He can lift more than his body weight with ease and is the person you turn to when you want to know if a NASCAR rain delay means a Monday race. Over his career, Chris has worked at places like Amazon, USA Today, and various rumors and fantasy sports sites. He has been nominated for awards such as the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hockey Writer of the Year and has a collection of high-stakes fantasy trophies and rings on display at home. With all this, Chris sums it up best with his motto: "Shut up and play."

Twitter Linkedin Facebook
Vegas

Vegas Betting offers helpful advice, objective information, and expert insights. You’re here to have fun and relax! Leave the work to us.

  • Vegas Betting Guide
  • Betting Glossary A To Z
  • Las Vegas Betting Videos
  • Meet Our Authors
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • About Us
  • Contact
NCPGambling Be gamble Aware

© 2025 Vegas Betting. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions apply to all advertised bonus offers on this website. Visit operators for details. We are not a sportsbook and do not take any wagers. The unique odds we produce in select news articles are for amusement and are not available to be wagered on. Using any of the information found at VegasBetting.com to violate any law or statute is prohibited. Check the online gambling regulations in your jurisdiction before placing any wagers with any of the links advertising gambling sites.