We look into matched betting in detail including how you can use this form of wagering to your benefit.
Guide to the Best Matched Betting in the US
Matched betting is one of the best sports betting techniques or strategies. It’s 100% legal and a great way to make money with online sports betting.
There is no need to look for a betting exchange account, such as the Betfair Exchange, to use match betting. A simple matched betting tip will suffice, and before you know it, you will become an expert in match betting.
This matched betting guide will talk through the ins and outs of low risk matched betting in USA and how to make money off it in as little as 15 minutes. You may have heard of phrases such as extra place, lay odds and lay bets but not know entirely what they mean, and this page will help. By the time you finish this article, you will feel confident enough to become a matched bettor and can try out any of the bonuses at our site with all the know-how.
Best matched betting sites for the US
- Accepts deposits as low as $5
- Hefty welcome and referral bonuses
- Available in 22 US States
- Superb range of sports
- Enticing rewards program
- Extensive catalogs of betting markets
- Great Mobile App
- Brilliant Welcome Bonus
- Range Of Bet Types
The four biggest and most reliable sports betting sites for matched betting in the US are:
What is Matched Betting USA?
Low risk matched betting is a technique that guarantees a profit from bookmaker bonus bets and betting promotions. It is not a magical way of taking the sportsbook’s money, but rather a low risk betting strategy that uses simple calculations to turn the odds of sportsbooks against them. While there are no specific matched bets offered, you can see a full list of useful promotions on our sportsbook bonuses and offers page that you can use to your advantage.
The matched bets strategy is simple. Use offers given by sportsbooks, and then place hedge bets against them. If you find an offer that you can use on a sports bet, then you take the sportsbook up on that offer and use it to place a bet, without staking any of your cash. You then go and place a second bet that goes against your first bet, using your money, and then you have covered both possible outcomes in the game. It does not matter which bet will win, as you should make a profit either way. The premise of matched betting is extremely simple, but when put into practise, you will find lots of different tricks to help develop your strategy.
It all depends on what offers you can get your hands on and how you use them. Over the past 25 years, we have witnessed the emergence of US betting sites due to the sheer amount of money these sportsbooks make off bettors. Due to high levels of competition among sportsbooks, gaining and maintaining new customers is a pressing challenge they all face.
In a bid to permanently make a bettor a customer, sportsbooks offer many incentives, usually in the form of either deposit bonuses or reload bonuses. Fortunately, there are opportunities to put these promotions to good use, and place matched bets which theoretically bring a profit without needing an informed bet or a lucky prediction.
Placing a matched bet has become more prominent recently, with sites like Profit Accumulator offering a matched betting blog. This form of wagering is a type of betting technique that helps you make a betting profit without the need for a bonus bet or a specific betting tip.
Some sportsbooks in the US offer bonuses as generous as a 200% matched bonus of the first two deposits made by new players in an attempt to entice customers. They do this because they are sure to gain the money back in the long run.
Terms to know for Matched Betting
Before you look to participate in any kind of value betting activity with an online bookmaker, it is important to understand what some of the terminology means. You don’t have to know every little phrase and betting jargon if you follow our guide, but it is still helpful to know what different terms mean. It is particularly important you know the two types of wager which allow matched betting to work, which are as follows:
A Back Bet: This is you betting in favor of a specific outcome to come true. For instance, I bet the Seattle Seahawks to win is a backing bet. If the Seahawks win the match, you will get your winnings in addition to your stake back. If the Seahawks draw or lose, your wager is unsuccessful. You can place a back bet on any of the betting apps we have listed on this page, and even use your bonus to place a back bet if you wish.
A Lay Bet: This is where you are wagering against a certain outcome to occur. For example, I bet the San Francisco 49ers not to win, is a lay bet. If they then lose or draw, you will win the wager. The principle behind matched betting is that it removes the risk of placing a back bet at online betting sites by going against yourself at the same odds. So, in essence, you are ‘matching’ your bet.
If you keep repeating the process using the two forms of wager above, whatever the result, you will be in profit.
Arbitrage Betting vs Matched Betting
The strategy of hedging bets is not exclusive to matched betting. Arbitrage betting is a similar strategy in which opposing bets are placed on a single game to lock in fixed profits. There are, however, a few differences between the two.
Arbitrage Betting
- First bet and hedge bet(s) all require your own money
- Requires discrepancy in odds provided by different sportsbooks
- Completely legal, but frowned on by sportsbooks
- Can be done anytime on any bet
Matched Betting
- Use bookmaker offer for first bet and make the hedge bets with your own money
- Does not require discrepancy in odds
- Completely legal and not penalized by sportsbooks
- Can only be done when you have sportsbook offers, and only on the bets included in the offers
There is no law against arbitrage betting, far from it, but bettors who use that system have to be careful not to get caught out at their sportsbook. Some books may limit accounts or refuse wagers from bettors who are suspected of arbitrage betting. This is because it causes them far larger long term problems than matched betting, which can only be done when there are offers on the table. It is definitely worthwhile to check out our arbitrage betting guide in which you can find more details on strategy.
Best Matched Betting Apps
#1. DraftKings App – Best Sports Coverage and App Interface
DraftKings is one of the leading providers of daily fantasy sports. Three months after PASPA was removed, the brand began offering online sports wagering in New Jersey, becoming the first legal sports betting app outside of Nevada.
You can currently access matched betting options on the DraftKings app in New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Illinois, Wyoming, Connecticut, Oregon, Louisiana, and New Hampshire. The app is available on iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store or the Google Play Store. It is easy to navigate, so if you have a matched betting strategy to hand, you can seamlessly move around without fuss. Speed is vital, and the DraftKings app is fast, this has only gotten better since moving to Kambi for its back-end software powered by SB Tech. The range of betting options and markets has increased, making matched betting more straightforward.
You can place props, and moneyline bets, and view alternate lines and spreads very quickly. Bettors have numerous US and international betting markets to choose from, and this is undoubtedly one of the best apps on the market. Start matched betting with DraftKings today and claim your free bet offers for existing players.
- Accepts deposits as low as $5
- Hefty welcome and referral bonuses
- Available in 22 US States
#2. BetMGM Sports App -Unrivaled Live Betting Experience and Features
Since partnering with GVC in a joint venture called ‘Roar Digital’, the BetMGM app has massively improved. You will discover all of the significant bet types on the app, including player prop bets, moneyline bets, point spreads, futures, parlay bets, and live betting.
We recommend this app for matched betting as the sign up bonus is excellent. We often see fantastic offers provided by BetMGM as part of promos throughout the week. For example, we receive running promotions for NFL Monday Night Football and Thursday Night Football. This is fantastic, so make sure you take advantage of these offers. There are also state-specific offers. BetMGM is available in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington D.C, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, and Mississippi.
Bettors will find lots of props and parlays options on this app that compare favorably with any top US betting site. All of the important tabs are located at the top of the screen, so you will always have a point of reference if you get lost. The A-Z menu, My Bets, and Promotions are all front and center. The BetMGM sports app has grown in popularity in recent years and is a superb option for anybody looking to get involved with matched betting.
Ultimately the key with matched betting is guaranteeing yourself some cash while choosing from a wide range of betting options. All of the apps listed above have excellent promos with huge amounts of markets. If you are looking to get involved in matched betting, the apps above will provide you with a great platform.
- Superb range of sports
- Enticing rewards program
- Extensive catalogs of betting markets
How Easy Is It To Make Money With Matched Betting?
Just one-in-a-million people win large amounts of money from online betting; most bettors lose sizable amounts of money when betting, making the bookies extremely rich; that is why they have enough money to offer those fantastic incentives mentioned earlier.
Low risk matched betting was created by a bettor who had lost a large amount of money to bookmakers and explored ways to regain his lost money. Thankfully, the founder was generous enough to share their breakthrough with fellow bettors.
Lots of UK bettors who match bets have profited from this method, and so many more are still to benefit from it, especially in the USA, where matched sports betting is quickly gaining momentum.
Matched betting USA is currently gaining a lot of traction thanks to the abolition of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, otherwise referred to as PASPA, and I think every bettor should seize this opportunity of making money off these bookmakers.
How Low Risk Matched Betting USA Works (4 Steps)
Let’s look at how matched betting works. The following paragraphs are a complete guide on how you can make money from matched betting. You need to understand that matched betting is not gambling in the conventional sense. There is negligible risk when it comes to matched betting, as it is all based on a number of easy calculations. The only way it can really fall through is if you make a mistake with your matched bets and do not cover al the possible betting outcomes.
#1. Find a Sportsbook Offer
The first step in matched betting is to find a fitting offer from online bookmakers. As I stated earlier, some sportsbooks offer massive welcome bonuses to get your custom; the plan is to play along with the sportsbook. You will need to find such bookies and sign up with them; luckily, we have a free guide on the best welcome offers available in the States you can follow. Unibet Sportsbook and bet365 are a great place to start for players new to matched betting.
For instance, if you have followed our guide and registered with bet365 USA offering up to $500 if you deposit $500.
- Great Welcome Bonus
- 20+ Sports to bet on
- Been operating since 2000
Most sportsbooks will give conditions for their bonuses, such as winning a certain amount of money before players can request a withdrawal or placing bets on odds no less than 1.5. It would help if you always used decimal odds when matched betting. You can easily change the format your odds are shown at any bookmaker if they are not currently showing as a decimal, or use an online odds converter to do the work for you.
After checking over the terms and conditions of the welcome bonus and you are confident that there is no hidden gimmick by the sportsbook, you can proceed to the next step. You also need to find an event or game to bet on. Football is the best sport to bet on generally as most people have good knowledge of the game.
#2. Qualifying Bet
The second step to make money with low risk matched betting is to qualify for the welcome bonus the bookmakers are offering, which is $100 in our example with bet365 US.
When placing our qualifying bet, we would lose a small amount of money, called the qualifying loss.
Start by looking for a game to place your back bet on. This back bet should have odds higher than the minimum threshold of 1.5, as specified on the terms and conditions in the example given above.
I advise you to use the Moneyline market in the NBA or any other sports where you are sure that the outcome will be either win or lose, no draws.
Assuming you place your back bet on a game with 1.9 odds, you now need to find the same game on a different sportsbook and check the odds for the opposing team; this will be called your lay bet. For the purposes of our example, let us say our odds for our lay bet are 2.0.
Next, you need to use a dutching calculator or our matched betting calculator to find out what your stake on the second bookmaker site will need to be.
You will find that no matter the outcome of the game, you will only lose a small amount, around 50 cents at most. This loss, however, does use up the bonus offered by the sportsbook.
#3. Bonuses and Offers
After placing your qualifying bet at a sportsbook, you should qualify for your bonus and redeem it. Some sportsbooks will credit you instantly, while some will credit your bonus up to 48 hours after the end of your qualifying bet.
We repeat the same method but on an even with higher odds to ensure our profit is as big as possible. Ideally, you need a game with an outcome of odds at +400 (5.00) to maximize the profit from your bonus bet.
Assuming we place our back bet on a team with +400 (5.00) odds, and the second team that we are laying on at the second bookmaker — has -556 (1.18) odds.
We now need to adjust our dutching calculator because we are betting with our own money now on the second sportsbook site. The idea of a dutching calculator is to help you make calculations to make sure you get the same returns from the two bookmakers regardless of the outcome of the event.
Applying the dutching calculator to our example, it means we are going to bet our bonus of $100 from bet365 on the game with +400 odds and $423.72 on the second sports betting site with -556 odds. This generates a guaranteed profit of $76.26 regardless of the outcome of the event.
Matched Betting Example | ||
---|---|---|
Bets | bet365 bet on Team A | Second Sportsbook bet on Team B |
Odds | +400 | -556 |
Stake % to Bring Equal Profit | 19.09% | 80.91% |
Stake | $100 Bonus | $423.72 of your money |
Total Return | $500 | $500 |
Profit | $500 - $423.72 = $76.26 | $500 - $423.72 = $76.26 |
Also, be informed that you do not necessarily need to place a bet as high as $100 if you do not have the required amount to dutch on the second sports betting site as $423 is a substantial sum for most people. Maybe try with a $10 bonus bet to start with and get hands-on experience with matched betting. You can use the Caesars Online Sportsbook to claim your $5,000 bonus cash.
Take your time to get a good idea of the amount of money you can afford to dutch before placing your bonus bet, as any stake less than the required dutching/lay bet on the second bookmaker will see you lose money.
The two essential factors you need to be looking out for are first, make sure you do not go above any max odds if stated in the terms and conditions of the sportsbook bonus.
Secondly, the higher the odds on your back bet, the more profit you will make, and the more money you will need to deposit into the second website.
You now know how to join the growing list of bettors making a considerable profit from welcome bonuses offered on sports betting sites. Not so many bettors know about matched betting USA or double betting as some people know it.
#4. Match betting app
Mobile betting is now huge in the US, and if you are serious about getting involved and making money online, you need to be able to carry out matched betting wherever you may be. That is where a betting app comes in useful. Thanks to betting apps, you can now bet anywhere in a legalized state.
Our choice for the best-matched betting apps are:
Matched betting work well on any of the above apps. You will be able to place multiple bets, and they provide an excellent matched betting service. Think of using matched betting on these platforms as almost a profit maximizer.
- Accepts deposits as low as $5
- Hefty welcome and referral bonuses
- Available in 22 US States
- Superb range of sports
- Enticing rewards program
- Extensive catalogs of betting markets
Reload Offers Keep Matched Betting Relevant
A common question among new matched bettors is, ‘Can I make money after I have completed all the welcome offers?’ and to give that question a simple answer, yes.
Sportsbooks offer bonuses to their existing customer to keep them from joining rival sportsbooks. These bonuses are called reload offers, and they make matched betting a sustainable way to make money online.
Typically, you will receive a notification or message about the reload offer, and they are usually along the lines of ‘Play With $10, Get A $10 Cash Bonus.’
You will need to replicate the same steps as for the welcome offers, where you will need to place your qualifying bet to unlock the cash bonus. Then, once the bonus bet has been released, you will need to repeat the process using your cash bonus to guarantee your profit.
The only issue for existing bettors is that the bonuses offered are not usually as large as the ones you see offered to new players by bookmakers. Nonetheless, you are able to make a substantial profit from each bonus you receive.
Matched Betting Example
So, you have used your sportsbook promo code, read through all of the betting tips and are ready to use your matched bet offer to try and win some real money. We will look at a straightforward example of how a low risk match betting strategy works in practice using a basketball game between the LA Lakers and Boston Celtics
First Sportsbook Odds
- LA Lakers +130
- Boston Celtics -150
You initially receive a $50 cash bonus from the sportsbook, which you decide to use on the Lakers to win. Should your bet come through, you are looking at $115 in pure profit, as remember, this bet did not cost you a dime. You can then take a portion of the $115 profit to stake on a bet against the Lakers. This should be done at a second sportsbook, preferably one where the odds are slightly different.
Second Sportsbook Odds
- LA Lakers +110
- Boston Celtics -125
Take out a sizable chunk of your potential profits on the Lakers game, say $40, and put this on the Celtics to win at your second sportsbook. Now let’s see what happens after the game ends.
Matched Betting Example | ||
---|---|---|
First Sportsbook | ||
Result | LA Lakers to Win | Boston Celtics to Win |
Odds | +130 | -160 |
Second Sportsbook | ||
Result | LA Lakers to Win | Boston Celtics to Win |
Odds | +110 | -125 |
Matched Bets | ||
Stake | $50 Bonus Bet at 1st SB on Lakers | $40 of your money at 2nd SB on Celtics |
Total Return | $115 | $72 |
Profit | $115 - $40 = $75 | $72 |
- Lakers win – you get $115 from sportsbook 1, lose your $40 from sportsbook 2, your profit is $75
- Celtics win – you get $72 from sportsbook 2, lost your bonus bet at sportsbook 1, your profit is $72
The point of matched betting is to turn bonuses and offers into real money. This example used relatively shorter odds with a stake of $50. If the odds were far longer, then you would probably need a bigger stake at your second sportsbook, but your potential profits are far larger. It all depends on how big you want to go with your bonus offer.
(Please note that the odds here are generated for the purpose of the example).