Some say matched betting is risk-free and better than gambling. It even pays more than your typical part-time at McDonald’s. Even some college students are doing it during their free time from classes. So, can you make money with matched betting? The answer is a resounding yes, through betting itself and a technique called affiliate marketing,
Let me show you how it works.
First, What Is Matched Betting?
Matched betting can also be known as lay bet matching, double betting or back bet matching on sporting events. It is a betting technique developed by individuals in order to benefit from free bets offered by bookmakers. A bookmaker is basically a company that takes bets, offers odds and pays winnings.
If you’re not the one who is savvy about losing a few dollars here and there then matched betting is usually considered a safe way to win some money through low cost investing. The technique is based more on mathematical equations than on chance.
In order to try your luck at match betting, you would need to have an account set up with two bookmakers and at least one of them needs to offer you a free bet. After you place your free bet, it is the job of the other betting account, so that no matter what happens the value of the free bet is safe.
This concept of matched betting involves using the free bet to place a back bet against and then placing a lay bet on another account. There are more complex versions of matched betting where a number of bookmakers are involved. However, since the outcome is the same, you will almost always profit from matched betting.
There are a number of different ways in which you can make matched betting work for you. One of these is assisted matched betting whereby you use software packages or websites to compare the odds of each bet.
Manual matched betting is another way of making matched betting work for you and this consists of you finding the offers, the markets, and the odds and make the calculations yourself. As you get into matched betting you will gain experience and understand more on which technique best benefits your bets.
How Is Matched Betting Different From Gambling?
Well, to put it frankly most people don’t consider matched betting to be like gambling. This is because you back both sides of the bet, so it is impossible to lose. You’re not just taking a punt on your favorite to win and then possibly losing out on hundreds of pounds.
Matched betting does, however, require you to place bets, so although it isn’t really considered gambling you will need to be of gambling age to open up any matched betting accounts with a bookmaker.
Is Matched Betting Legal?
The simple answer here is – yes matched betting is legal. There are many people out there who believe matched betting is a scam, however, it is a legitimate way of generating extra income. As long as you’re over 18 years of age, you can legally earn from matched betting.
However, each bookmaker has its own terms and condition that you must abide by when placing bets. Your account could get band if you are only placing bets on promotional offers, consistently winning without losing money, or you’re caught opening too many accounts with other bookmakers. Your free bets and bonuses may also be stopped.
In other words, matched betting is like going shopping with a load of vouchers in your pocket. You got the vouchers for free and you’re going to use them so it’s up to you to decide on a way to make the most out of them.
So whilst you run the risk of upsetting some bookmakers and possibly having some of your accounts closed, matched betting is 100% legal in the UK. That’s why most of the bookmakers are based in the UK and quoted in pounds.
On 14th May 2018, sports betting has been made legal in the US at the Federal level, but it’s up to each individual state to impose regulations on the new policy. To date, sports betting is totally legal in Delaware, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia. That’s good news if you live in these states.
Other states are expected to join the movement in due time.
How To Matched Bet
As we touched upon the topic earlier, it works by using free bets and then laying another bet on the back of the free bet, meaning that it is impossible to lose. Matched betting is a three-step process:
- Step 1 – You need to find a bookmaker who has an offer running, for instance, you want to find one where are you open an account and place a $10 bet. You will then receive a free bet valued more than your original $10.
- Step 2 – You need to qualify your bet and lay the first bets liability on your second bet.
- Step 3 – You now have to repeat this process using your free bet in order to level the profits. If you follow these three steps carefully, you are guaranteed to make a profit from matched betting.
Bonus Earning Through Affiliate Marketing
As with many online products and services nowadays, there is the opportunity to become an affiliate with a bookmaker. Firstly you will need to find and register with the affiliate program. Once your account is verified, you will be able to obtain a unique tracking link to be used for promoting through a website.
Since the link is attached to your profile, anyone that joins the bookmaker’s site via your referral will earn you a commission in the form of free bets or additional money on your account. Basically, the more clicks you get, the higher the chances people will bet on matches.
In addition, when a person clicks on the link, their cookies and IP address are saved to the bookmaker’s servers. That way, if they leave before signing up and then return to the site at a later date, you will still gain the commission from their participation.
The amount of money you earn via the affiliation widely depends on the commission rates offered by the bookmakers and also the level of traffic to your site. Here are some matched betting affiliate programs you can check out (note; all these sites are based in the UK and Australia).
Matched Betting Affiliate Programs
(1) Odds Monkey (UK)
- Has been in business for 5 years and uses exclusive software to search the best betting opportunities from over 90 bookmakers.
- Affiliate offers – 50% of every net payment a new customer makes. Payout is done monthly and requires a minimum threshold of $50.
(2) Profit Accumulator (UK)
- This company is the number one matched betting site in the UK, gaining a trust score of 4.8 out of 5 on Trustpilot. To date, it has paid more than $2.1 million dollars to its affiliates.
- Affiliate offers – 50% of the net revenue (after-tax) from the cost of any subscription purchased by your referral.
(3) Matched Bets (UK)
- New users can try all match bets for 14 days for only $1. Besides football events, it also offers other betting sites like online casinos.
- Affiliate offers – $15 for every new sale generated. Payout is done monthly and requires a minimum threshold of $25.
(4) Profit Squad (UK)
- A membership site packed with features, tools, and strategies to maximize betting profits. It comes with a $1 dollar 14 days trial. Affiliates can earn recurring commissions from membership subscriptions.
- Offers – 40% recurring + bonus payments if certain sales targets are met. Payout is done monthly and requires a minimum threshold of $30.
(5) Bonusbank (Australia)
- Has a free membership that requires no payment details. Great for beginners.
- Offers – 25% of net revenue. Payment is done monthly.
Wrapping Up
Ever since the US legalize matched betting, the industry has seen a surge in profit, making it one of the most lucrative and low-risk methods for making money online. Sure, you can gain some rewards from betting, but don’t overlook the financial benefits affiliate marketing can bring to the table as well.
Let us know in the comments below what you think about or share your personal experience with matched betting. Meanwhile, please visit my recommended training platform to learn more about starting a successful affiliate business. See you in the next posts.
A match betting company offered me to become their affiliate, but I have concerns about the possibility of its legality being a betting site. Since it’s currently not legal in every state in the US, should I place restrictions on my website for traffic coming from specific states? Half of my traffic came from the US. Thanks.
I don’t think you need to place restrictions for traffic if you’re just merely blogging. Just remind your readers to check with their states if they’re coming from the US. People have the right to access information even if they aren’t eligible for the opportunity for the time being.
Match betting is new to me and while I am unlikely ever to get into it (my only betting is on the Lotto twice a week here in New Zealand) I certainly do know an awful lot more about it now.
However, the opportunities you presented have given me food for thought, in particular, the concept of affiliate marketing which I am definitely now looking into. So thanks for sharing the list. Will let you know how it goes.
I have a family member doing match betting for years. I knew it was a UK thing, but I don’t know how he was able to do it from here, even though there wasn’t any Internet back then.
If I had known it was not gambling, I would have asked more questions about it. But we have pushed him aside thinking that match betting was a bad thing. Now I know better.
Thank you so much for this. I had always figured matched betting was still just a roll of the dice but I never knew how it really worked.
I’m really liking the potential of these offers and want to look further into it. I live in California so I’m not sure what options I really have here as far as legalization is concerned. That said, can you give me a little guidance or let me know if I can even take advantage of matched betting?
Hi Scott, I’m not from California so I can’t say much but I found this latest update (year 2020) that can shed some light on your state and the possibility of you getting involved in sports betting soon. Hope this helps.
Hello there Cathy,
I am a university student and recently found about matched betting from my friends. I am keen to pursue it as a full-time thing and based on your post, I could see there are a variety of ways to make money with this niche.
I am thinking of going with all the strategies although affiliate marketing seems to be more lucrative as I have some background with that from college.
I think I will first do a few back bets and then when I am well acquainted, I can dive into the affiliate marketing aspects. Or what would you advise?
Hi Dave, definitely get some hands-on experience first because you’ll need that to write substantial reviews. Betting isn’t something you can draw information from others. When it comes personally from you, you can offer more nitty-gritty details to people who are really interested to make money with it.
I have not heard of the matched betting concept before. And while I am anti-gambling, it certainly got me in.
I had to search the lay betting system and found that Betfair is now operating in Australia. However, when I looked at the loss ratio, I got a bit scared as I am used to picking winners. But you’ve opened the opportunity page here so thanks for that.
I’ve given thoughts several times on matched betting. I just didn’t think I had the time to search for offers or the money to pay for them.
But to be fair, I believe it is legal and also a good way to pocket some extra cash. I remember though, when I tried getting started, I was told non-UK citizens couldn’t use the service. Seems like things have started to change here for us in the US.
I did match betting and made around 2K with it. It’s good at the start when you have all the sign-up offers to complete, and then there are the accas which are also risk-free.
But it’s definitely a legit and easy way to make some extra cash. Some people would have to be careful if they think they could get addicted to gambling through match betting though. You just have to be firm with yourself and once the risk-free bets run out, then stop.
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Jenny! Much appreciated.