How Does Sure Betting Work?
Sure betting works by exploiting odds discrepancies between bookmakers. When two or more bookmakers disagree on the probability of an event, their odds differ enough to allow a bettor to place bets on every possible outcome and secure a profit.
What is Sure Betting?
Sure betting, also known as arbitrage betting or arbing, is a risk-free betting strategy where a bettor places bets on all possible outcomes of a sports event using different bookmakers — guaranteeing a profit regardless of the result. This is possible because different bookmakers sometimes offer different odds for the same event, creating profitable opportunities.
In this guide, we’ll explain what sure betting is, how it works, its pros and cons, and the best tools to get started with sure betting in 2025.
Example:
Bookmaker A offers odds of 2.10 on Team X
Bookmaker B offers odds of 2.10 on Team Y
By calculating the correct stakes for each bet, you can guarantee a profit, no matter which team wins.
Is Sure Betting Legal?
In most countries, sure betting is legal — as it involves placing bets with licensed bookmakers. However, most sportsbooks don’t welcome arbers and may limit or restrict accounts if they detect arbitrage activity. It’s crucial to check local regulations and the terms of each bookmaker you use.
Pros and Cons of Sure Betting
✅ Pros:
Guaranteed Profit: When executed correctly, sure bets always result in a positive return.
Mathematically Proven: Based on basic probability and odds calculations.
No Need for Predicting Outcomes: Profit is secured regardless of match results.
Cons:
Account Limiting: Bookmakers may restrict or close accounts of frequent arbers.
Requires Multiple Accounts: You need several active bookmaker accounts for access to varied odds.
Fast Decision-Making Needed: Surebet opportunities are time-sensitive and can disappear quickly.
📊 How to Find Sure Bets
Finding sure bets manually is time-consuming and inefficient. That’s why most successful arbers use surebet software to scan thousands of odds in real-time and highlight profitable opportunities. We have researched hundreds of software and tools and concluded that..
These are the most efficient tools available:
BetBurger
These tools allow you to filter bets by sport, market type, profit margin, and bookmaker availability.
How to Manually Calculate a Sure Bet
Use this formula to check if a sure bet exists:
(1 / odds A) + (1 / odds B) < 1
If the total is below 1, it’s a sure bet opportunity.
Example:
(1 / 2.10) + (1 / 2.10) = 0.952
Since 0.952 is less than 1, a sure bet exists.
This surebet calculator and most arbitrage betting software will automate this process for you.
Is Sure Betting Still Worth It in 2025?
Yes — but with limitations. Sure betting remains a low-risk strategy for disciplined bettors with access to multiple bookmaker accounts. However, it requires speed, attention, and a solid staking plan due to frequent odds changes and bookmaker restrictions.
For casual players, sure betting can be a profitable side activity. For professionals, it often serves as a tool to complement other betting strategies like value betting.
Final Thoughts
Sure betting is one of the few risk-free betting strategies available, made possible by odds discrepancies across different bookmakers. While account limitations and fast market shifts present challenges, with the right tools and strategies, it can still be a very profitable tactic in 2025.
If you’re ready to get started, check out our list of the best surebet software tools here.
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