Arbitrage betting—placing bets on all outcomes across different sportsbooks to guarantee profit regardless of result—sounds like free money. In practice, it's much harder than it sounds. Here's the honest truth.
How Arbitrage Works
Arbitrage opportunities exist when sportsbooks have lines that don't add up to 100%. If you can bet both sides across different books and the combined implied probability is under 100%, you profit no matter what.
Theoretical Arbitrage Example
For an arb to exist, you'd need the combined implied probability under 100%. That's increasingly rare in major markets.
What an Actual Arb Looks Like
In this scenario, betting the right amounts on each side locks in ~3.6% profit. But here's why it rarely works in practice.
Why Arbitrage Is Harder Than It Sounds
1. Lines Move Fast
By the time you identify an arb, open both apps, calculate stakes, and place both bets, the line often moves. If one side moves before you place it, you're stuck with a one-sided position—that's not arbitrage, that's just a bet.
2. Bet Limits
The sportsbook with the "wrong" line (the one creating the arb) often limits how much you can bet. You might see a great line but only be able to bet $50 on it—not enough to make the arb worthwhile.
3. Account Restrictions
Sportsbooks identify arbers through betting patterns. If you consistently bet only when arbs exist, expect to be limited or banned from promos. Most Ohio books will eventually restrict accounts that only chase arbs.
4. Margins Are Tiny
Most real arbs have 1-3% margins. On a $1,000 total stake, that's $10-30 profit. One line movement that hits only one side wipes out weeks of arb profits.
Arb-Adjacent Strategies That Actually Work
Instead of pure arbitrage, consider these related approaches:
Line Shopping
Instead of betting both sides, just take the best available line. If Browns +6.5 is available at one book when others have +6, that's value without the complexity of arbitrage. Over time, consistently taking the best number compounds into significant edge.
Promo Arbing
Using promotional offers (bonus bets, odds boosts) to create arb-like situations. A boosted +150 that's really +120 fair creates positive expected value without needing a counter-bet. This is more sustainable than pure arbitrage.
Middling
Betting both sides at different numbers hoping the final result falls in the middle. Example: Browns +6.5 and Bengals -4.5. If the Bengals win by 5 or 6, both bets win. This isn't risk-free like arbitrage, but the upside can be significant.
If you're looking to bet winning sides without getting limited, Prime Sports specifically welcomes sharp action. This removes one side of the arb equation—you can take the good number without worrying about restrictions.
Is Pure Arbitrage Worth It?
| Factor | Reality |
|---|---|
| Time investment | Very high (constant monitoring) |
| Capital required | Large (to make profits meaningful) |
| Opportunity frequency | Rare in major markets |
| Account longevity | Short (books identify arbers) |
| Execution risk | High (line movements, limits) |
| Stress level | High (constant urgency) |
For most Ohio bettors, pure arbitrage isn't a realistic primary strategy. The time investment, capital requirements, and account risks make it impractical compared to simpler approaches like line shopping and promo optimization.
Our Honest Take
If you want to extract value from Ohio sportsbooks, focus on:
- Line shopping: Always take the best number (see our three-app strategy)
- Promo optimization: Use bonuses and boosts strategically
- Track CLV: Focus on betting good numbers, not guaranteed profits
- Bankroll management: Survive long enough to realize your edge
Pure arbitrage is theoretically profitable but practically exhausting. Unless you're willing to treat it as a job, the juice isn't worth the squeeze.