Quick Stats:

While exact numbers are hard to pin down, it is estimated over 450,000 UK folk are matched bettors, and the signs are everywhere that matched betting is bigger than ever. There are over 50 UK bookmakers and casinos with a sportsbook. More users on matched betting platforms and an uptick in the chatter online are proof that increasing numbers of people of all types continue to benefit from matched betting offers..

Wrap-Up:

Matched betting has definitely found its stride since 2016, growing in popularity and sophistication. It's been a mix of more people getting involved, the introduction of complex Betbuilder bets, bookies bowing out, and tech getting an upgrade. For those looking to get into it, there’s never been a better time, with communities ready to help out and tools to make it easier. Whether you’re in it for a bit of extra cash or the thrill of a risk-free bet, matched betting’s evolving world is worth a look.

In the next post we will look at how Matched Betting is shaping up for the future, and spotlighting Cheltenham Festival and the many profits it presents...

Until then, happy profiting!

Steve

NOTE: If you would like help understanding and using AI, get in touch for an upcoming Masterclass!

As an experiment, some of this content was generated by AI and modified for a better feel. What do you think? How does it read?

Anyway, it is the opinion of ChatGPT4 that "there's never been a better time" to start Matched Betting.... and who is going to argue with logic?!

Bet Builders – The New Kid in Town: These bets let you mix and match outcomes in the same event, adding a spicy twist to matched betting. Like a same-game accumulator. They are becoming increasingly popular as bookies see them as attractive to customers, and harder to trade off. It's a bit trickier but opens up new ways to win and there's still plenty of weekly profit from betbuilder offers alone. Oddsmonkey have full tutorials on laying betbuilders and whilst you have to lay the bets manually (as of now, technology is evolving!) they still represent a significant percentage of overall matched betting profits.

Bookmakers and Industry Shifts:

- Saying Goodbye to Some Bookies: The betting world is tough, and since 2018, we’ve seen generous bookmakers like BetBright shut down and others like MoPlay hit the dust. Due to the new tax complications since Brexit, several European bookmakers simply withdrew from the UK..

The list below shows some of the extent of closures. If you had an account with any of these, you don't now!

• Bet On Brazil

• BetBright

• ComeOn

• Jetbull

• MansionBet

• Marathon

• MoPlay

• Mr Green

• RealDealBet

• Royal Panda

• Stan James

• Sun Bets

• Super Lenny

• Tonybet

• ToteSport

• Vernons

• Winner

Added to the online bookmaker closures, there has been a huge downturn in high street bookmakers, with William Hill notably closing 800 stores as a result of the 2020-22 lockdown, Stan James stores closing entirely and Vernons closing many stores.

Although there are also many new bookmakers since 2016, this shakes up the overall matched betting landscape by affecting the number of offers out there.

- Tighter Rules: With governments getting strict on gambling to keep things safe, bookies are changing how easily they hand out free bets, and how accounts are regulated and verified. Matched bettors have had to get creative to keep up.

- Smarter Tools: The tech for matched betting has had a major upgrade. Now, there are tools that find the best bets for you, track your bets, and even handle the complicated math of Betbuilder bets. On Oddsmonkey alone there are over 20 calculators, which cover every type of bet offer that can be traded..

- New Game Plans: With changes in the betting world, matched bettors have had to evolve. There’s more focus on less obvious sports like American Sports and Darts, and using betting exchanges like Betfair to lay bets, keeping the profits coming. People using Smarkets, neatly integrated with Oddsmonkey's software and odds-matching tools can save ££'s per year in commission as Smarkets charges 0%!

Blog Post: The Rise and Evolution of Matched Betting Since 2016