Matched betting is one of the hottest topics in the betting world at present. The mere concept is undeniably alluring: you place two bets, and then you're guaranteed a profit.
There's always the caveat that you need to avoid making mistakes, but should all go to plan, your profit should build. However, there's a catch — and it's a big one: matched betting isn't currently popular in the USA.
Things to know about No risk matched betting
- Matched betting involves utilizing free bet offers from bookmakers
- Matched bettors place a back bet on an event at a bookmaker, and a lay bet (betting
against
an outcome) on the same event
- The stake is determined by a matched betting calculator, which is used in order to ensure a profit
- If both bets are placed correctly and the calculator is accurate, then a profit is guaranteed regardless of the outcome of the event
- The downside? No risk matched betting currently isn't possible in the USA
What is no-risk matched betting? No risk matched betting defined
No risk matched betting commonly regarded as zero risk betting strategy is a method bettors, often referred to as "sharp" bettors, use in order to secure a profit from every bet they place. Bettors usually take a small loss on a qualifying bet that secures them a bonus bet, which they then use to lock-in a profit by backing and laying the same event. With the right calculation to determine the lay stake, bettors will profit regardless of whether they win or lose.
In Europe, matched betting has soared in popularity, and is often considered a viable second income stream or side hustle. The downside is that bookmakers, whose profit on bets is adversely affected by the practice, frown upon matched betting and will ban accounts partaking. For many bettors, however, the risk of lost accounts is worth it in exchange for a (relatively) stable second form of income, with long-term profits often reaching into the thousands.
How Does Matched Betting Work?
Matched bet is a strategic move of placing a back bet - making use of the free bet at a bookmaker while wagering the opposing lay bet at a betting exchange. An advanced form of this Matched betting involves placing the bets on several bookmakers. This is called dutching. It helps to avoid the commission charged for making use of an exchange. Here’s how it works:
- Discover a free bet offer
- Accomplish the criteria to take the free bet
- Take the free bet with the bookie (e.g. Spain to win)
- Find the opposite bet on a betting exchange (e.g. Spain not to win)
- Place the opposite bet on the exchange
- Wait for the end of the event
- Win money no matter the result - either with the bookie or the exchange
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Matched betting explained
Matched betting is a known approach that targets implementing the combination of betting odds and bonus bet credit to assure and guarantee a return from your bets, despite what occurs in a sporting adventure.
How it works is you register to a new sportsbook that gives you some kind of bonus bet to welcome you. Then you go ahead to place your bet to support a particular team to win. Finally, you would go to a betting exchange and place your bet that this same team would not win with the same odds.
This is otherwise referred to as a lay bet. Betting exchanges are platforms where you place your bet against other bettors instead of the site itself. Laying the bet you had initially backed implies that losses would be offset and you would be assured to get something back from your bets. At the moment you can make use of the bet credit free of charge.
Our favorite bookmaker bonuses
Additional Knowledge you should have about Matched betting
What will stop you from matching your bets in the US isn’t just the legal and practical limitations. Take note of these factors so you know the possible outcomes with a matched betting:
It needs a level of mathematical calculation to realize which odds you ought to back and lay, how much commission to implement, and the amount of stake to put down. This is an easy approach for people who enjoy carrying out bet calculations.
Every Sportsbook gives a suspicious look at matched betting. You are obtaining an unfair advantage over the odds that they have to give and then attempting to guarantee yourself a win. Because of this, any sportsbook that discovers you in the act of matching your bets will immediately offer you a temporary ban.
State lines, low liquidity, and the impact on no risk matched betting
Finally, we can look to draw together all of this information and see how it impacts no risk matched betting's fate in the USA.
- Exchanges need liquidity in order to function.
- To generate that liquidity, exchanges need people.
- The more users, the higher the liquidity, and thus the more viable the exchange is both as a platform for bettors and as a business.
- However, due to the Federal Wire Act, betting in the USA is restricted to within individual states.
- This quirk of law means that any exchange that wanted to operate would immediately have a restricted userbase, only able to facilitate bets between users in the same state.
- Given that sports betting is a relatively new innovation in the USA, it's reasonable to assume the number of bettors wanting to use an exchange in a single state is very low. This is especially true considering the fact that, even in countries where exchanges are well-established, they are still less popular than conventional bookmakers.
So for exchanges, there simply isn't the user base to offer a service within a single state — and without an exchange to accept lay bets, matched betting isn't possible.
Sports Betting Exchange: Prophet Exchange Review
We discovered that the Prophet Exchange website has a simplistic design and features. It’s not like the conventional sportsbooks. Prophet Exchange is the only peer-to-peer sportsbook in the US, with a specially matched odd feature, Prophet Exchange also offers an amazing welcome offer.
If you register an account and make your first deposit, you can outrightly earn a 100% deposit match that is worth up to a potential $200. The least significant deposit required is about $10 and the bonus can last up to 2 weeks from the time it is deposited into your account. You may just be required to Play via your bonus amount before you can be allowed to withdraw any of your winnings that you were to acquire.
You can make your deposit in USD through some options which include online banking, Wire transfer, and making cash payments at the cage located at Harrah’s Casino in Atlantic City New Jersey. Funds Withdrawal from the Prophet Exchange account can also be done with online banking, Wire transfer, and cash payment. The regulation demands that you withdraw funds to the same account that was used for your deposit and the account must have your name on it. Well, this isn’t necessarily the case if you prefer to constantly deposit and withdraw at the cage in New Jersey, always.
Alternatives to matched betting

Unfortunately, there is no true alternative to no risk matched betting sites in the USA at the present time. There are countless betting systems and strategies, many of which are worth learning more about, but nothing that "locks-in" a profit in the same way matched betting is intended to. Standard betting, however, is becoming ever-more available, and casino, poker, and daily fantasy sports betting have helped to ensure there are still options available for online gaming for those looking to find them.
Conclusion
Matched betting is a fascinating strategy with a strong record overseas. However, due to a federal law that impacts the viability of betting exchanges, it is currently not possible to engage in the practice in the USA. This may change in the future, but for the moment, no risk matched betting a seeming zero risk betting strategy is a no-go for USA residents.
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No Risk Matched Betting FAQ
💣Is no risk matched betting profitable?
There are a variety of different betting strategies that one can learn and put into use and bet types to place, ranging from dedicated horse betting strategies to placing a
double chance bet
when appropriate. No risk matched betting is a strategy that many bettors have considered using as part of their general experience. However, it is important to find out how to go about it before it’s possible to make a profit. Read our comprehensive guide to find out more about no risk matched betting, no risk matched betting sites and whether it’s possible to make a return.
💡What is no risk matched betting?
No risk matched betting allows bettors to cover all possible outcomes in a bet. At
CaptainGambling.com, we’ve created an in-depth guide to no risk matched betting for your convenience. All that you need to do is read through our guide and you’ll be one step closer to understanding how to make use of this betting approach.
You’ll find that it is possible to apply no risk matched betting on a number of platforms. However, it’s important to take note of any terms and conditions that may apply even when you wish to explore no risk matched betting apps. To find out how to go about engaging in no risk matched betting, and where you can do so, head over to our coverage at
CaptainGambling.com.