How Arbitrage Betting Works (and Why It Still Exists in 2025)

If you've spent any time comparing odds between sportsbooks, you've probably noticed something weird: sometimes, two books disagree — not just slightly, but enough that both sides can actually be bet for profit.

That's arbitrage betting — also known as "arbing." It's not a glitch or a hack. It's just math.

The Basic Idea

Arbitrage betting means betting on both sides of the same market across different sportsbooks in a way that guarantees a small profit no matter who wins.

Sounds like magic, but it's not. It's simply exploiting price discrepancies before the books sync up their lines.

Real Example

• FanDuel has the Seattle Mariners at 1.95
• BetMGM has the Detroit Tigers at 3.10

If you stake the right amounts on both sides, you're locking in around a 16% return, win or lose. That's not a typo. That's a free 16% ROI for doing nothing but timing and math.

Why Arbitrage Opportunities Exist

Books don't always agree on pricing — and they move at different speeds.

The market is constantly shifting, and each book has its own traders, algorithms, and liability exposure. That's what creates gaps.

Common Reasons for Price Discrepancies:

• One book overreacts to new info (injury, lineup, weather)
• Another book hasn't updated yet
• Books copy markets from others but delay the refresh
• Regional differences — US vs UK vs AU markets move at different times

Those few minutes of difference? That's the window arbers live in.

How The Prop Hound Finds Arbitrage Bets Instantly

Instead of scanning every book manually (which used to take hours), The Prop Hound automatically:

1. Tracks live odds across dozens of sportsbooks
2. Finds combinations where the implied probabilities of both sides add up to less than 100%
3. Calculates your arb percentage and guaranteed profit
4. Displays exactly how to split your stake to lock it in

Example Dashboard Results

You'll see it update live, because odds change every 15 minutes — and those tiny windows of opportunity are where the free money hides.

The Catch (Because There's Always One)

Arbing isn't without its downsides. It's not risky in terms of losing money, but it's risky in terms of longevity.

Sportsbooks hate arbers. You'll likely get limited or banned if they catch you consistently hitting mispriced lines.

That's why pros rotate accounts, mix in normal bets, or spread their action across regions and books.

It's a game of staying under the radar while scooping small, steady wins.

How Much Can You Actually Make?

Realistically — and assuming you're not flagged — consistent arbers make 1–3% ROI per day, depending on capital and book limits.

It's not sexy money, but it's consistent. And if you're rolling with a few thousand dollars, those small daily profits stack quickly.

The best arbers automate parts of it with tools like The Prop Hound, which does the hard scanning for them. You just choose the market, check the math, and click through.

Why Arbitrage Still Exists in 2025

You'd think with all the AI and automation sportsbooks use now, this wouldn't still be possible.

But the truth is: odds will never be perfectly synchronized.

Sports move fast, and each book's exposure, feed latency, and trader decision-making differ slightly. That's all it takes — a few percentage points off here and there — to create free edges.

The market evolves, but inefficiencies never fully disappear. That's why arbing still works — and why it probably always will.

Getting Started with Arbitrage Betting

Arbitrage betting isn't gambling in the traditional sense. It's data exploitation.

You're not predicting outcomes — you're harvesting inefficiency.

Key Requirements:

1. Multiple sportsbook accounts with adequate funding
2. Fast execution when opportunities arise
3. Proper bankroll management and stake calculation
4. Account management strategy to avoid detection
5. Reliable odds monitoring tools or software

If you're the kind of bettor who prefers steady wins over lucky streaks, it's one of the most reliable systems in sports betting.

Just be smart about execution, and don't get greedy with account volume.

Risk Management Tips

• Rotate between multiple accounts to avoid detection
• Mix in regular bets to appear like a recreational bettor
• Start with smaller stakes to test the waters
• Keep detailed records of your arbitrage activity
• Have backup accounts ready across different sportsbooks

Final Thoughts

Want to see it live? Jump into The Prop Hound's Arbitrage tab, plug in your bankroll, and watch how many lines are mispriced right now.

You'll never scroll odds the same way again.

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Ready to start arbitrage betting? Join The Prop Hound for real-time arbitrage opportunities across all major sports and get your 7-day free trial.