Live arbitrage betting (live surebets) is especially popular among experienced bettors, as it offers higher profitability compared to pre-match arbitrage opportunities. However, they also require faster reaction times and a high level of skill.
Essentially, real-time arbitrage opportunities occur due to differences in odds that appear during a live game. A key feature of live surebets is their higher frequency. Depending on how the game unfolds, they can appear at various times, sometimes even within the same bookmaker’s platform.
1) Greater Volume
Because sports events are dynamic and constantly changing, the number of live surebets far exceeds that of pre-match arbs.
2) Higher Profitability
Pre-match sports arbitrage betting usually offers no more than a 10% profit (higher values are rare and often due to a bookmaker’s mistake, which might lead to a bet refund and getting flagged as an arbitrage bettor). In contrast, live arbs frequently yield returns above 10%, which is considered normal.
That said, working with surebets offering over 15% profit is not recommended, as such high returns are often due to odds errors.
3) Lower Risk of Detection
Bookmakers are known for disliking arbitrage bettors. However, those who use live surebets are harder to detect for several reasons:
- Bookmakers have limited time to analyze bets placed during a fast-paced match.
- Odds shift at different speeds across different platforms, making live bets appear more “natural” and less suspicious.
4) Faster Return on Investment
Unlike pre-match bets, where you may wait a day or more to see your returns, live arbitrage bets settle immediately after the match, meaning you get your winnings much faster. This leads to faster capital turnover and quicker growth of your bankroll.
Drawbacks of Live Arbitrage Bets
The main disadvantage of this type of arbitrage situations is that due to the fast odds change, it’s very hard to find live arbs on your own. That’s why punters prefer to operate with arbitrage betting software, which significantly simplifies the process of working with arbitrage betting in live mode.
BetBurger is deservedly considered a leader in the niche of such services. This scanner constantly analyzes betting lines of more than 400 bookies in 40+ sports and almost all existing markets and provides the customers with up-to-date arbitrage opportunities and value bets.
In addition to the above-mentioned pros, BetBurger subscription includes many useful tools like “close odds” – for comparing odds from different bookies or an accounting tool to track your wagers and deposits. BetBurger customers also has a handy surebet calculator at their disposal, which helps to calculate all the necessary wagers in a matter of seconds.
Conclusion
Online gambling in the United States is constantly evolving, so you’ll always have enough live arbitrage betting opportunities. However, you need to understand all the challenges you may face. Live odds change much faster and more frequently, leaving little to no time for deliberation. There’s also a risk of not managing to cover all outcomes in time. For these reasons, live arbitrage is best suited to experienced bettors, while beginners should start with pre-match surebets to build understanding and skill.
