Beginners often ask questions like “How can I make money with arbitrage betting?”, “What bankroll do I need to start from?” etc. These questions are logical as the financial framework is the key point in arbing.
Where to start?
Today’s bettors are afraid of the surebet strategy (arbitrage betting) as they believe it requires substantial financial investments. At some point, it’s true. The more you invest, the more you get.
But it doesn’t mean you have to pour thousands into your bookmaker accounts. Initial bankroll can amount to $100-$150 or even less. The only thing that matters is to have a minimum deposit on your regular bookmaker accounts.
To start, several bookmakers will be required for work. On your list should be the bookie which is loyal to arbers (Pinnacle or Sbobet) + one more bookie which is rich in arbs (like Bwin).
Prematch is a good way to start. Live is pretty profitable but difficult to use for a newbie.
How to make money with arbitrage betting?
If you decide to entrust the process of surebet search to pros and use surebet services, you’d have to set your sorting right.
We have two options here: chase high percentage arbs or bet on rapid turnover.
We recommend the second variant. You have to understand that the more you bet, the more you get. An arb with a high percentage is more profitable at first sight, but the event can be held only in a couple of days. During this time, you can bet several lower-yield arbs, which will give you much more profit in total.
In other words, better to bet 5 times $50 each on 2% arb (total profit $5), than $50 on one 5% arb (total profit $2.5).
It makes no sense to bet on events that’ll start in several days, as money will just wait all this time for the match to start.
Let’s consider why it is important to use a reliable arbitrage software (eg. BetBurger) for your investments in arbing.
The main advantage of such scanners is that you don’t need to waste time searching for surebets on your own and can wager them significantly more times a day. Therefore, your money will always be in turnover and will not sit idle in bookmaker accounts.
One more important thing – he advanced functionality at the best arbitrage betting sites allows you to sort the list of available bets according to many parameters, such as bookmakers, sports and, most importantly, ROI (Return On Investment). We will discuss this setting in more detail below.
Investment return rate (ROI)
Some scanners have an interesting function, sorting by ROI — investment income rate for a specific period.
This option enables you to include two important indicators, like arb’s yield and the time after which the money is returned to your account. Due to ROI, you can efficiently manage your bankroll, which promises large returns.
Perhaps, in theory, it sounds a bit confusing, so let’s proceed to the example:
As of today (09.09.2025, 10:30), the scanner gives out the arbs:
5.17% — beginning time 09.09; 19:00
3.04% — beginning time 09.09; 22:30
2.69% — beginning time 09.09; 16:45
2.40% — beginning time 09.09; 18:00
2.19% — beginning time 09.09; 19:00
1.24% — beginning time 09.09; 11:00
Here I have sorted arbs by yield like others do. But if you sort them by ROI, it will look a bit different:
1.24% — beginning time 09.09; 11:00
5.17% — beginning time 09.09; 19:00
2.69% — beginning time 09.09; 16:45
2.40% — beginning time 09.09; 18:00
3.04% — beginning time 09.09; 22:30
2.19% — beginning time 09.09; 19:00
The scanner included two parameters: arb’s yield and beginning time which increase your turnover.
Thus, a 1.24% arb is first on this list for a reason. The time the match begins is the earliest among the others. Therefore, it will end approximately at 1 p.m., the calculation will be made, and you can easily use the money you win for your next bets.
Distribution of funds
It’s not hard to understand how to make money with arbitrage betting. It is more challenging to apply your knowledge in practice. If you manage your money in a way that it will not be wasted but will constantly be in circulation, you can achieve up to an 80% gain (although this indicator is often lower). When your bankroll is going to grow, it would be hard to keep the yield at the top.
Having a high bankroll, you will not be able to stake all the money you have. Some part of your funds would be left underutilized on your bookmaker account or payment system account.
Here the tip shows up: never keep all your money on your bookmaker accounts, but leave some on your payment system account so you can easily fill up the account if necessary.
Moreover, try to evenly distribute your funds at bookmakers (bookmakers you frequently use have more money, others have less).
You don’t have to wait till you have thousands of dollars on your account to start arbing. A hundred would be enough for 2-3 bookies, which will help you get some practice. You can raise your bankroll after a while based on your financial opportunities.
However, mind that most of the bookies have limits, so you’d have to emphasize the number of stakes but not on the value!
