Is Matched Betting a Scam?

I started matched betting, also known as match betting, at the end of January 2017, around the 20^th of the month.  I’d heard of it before this, but didn’t really understand it and assumed it was a scam.  Many of the make money fast online type of adverts usually are, so I assumed the same with this.

It was only when I stumbled upon bloggers I thought trustworthy talking about it on their blogs that I realised perhaps it wasn’t a scam after all, but I was still wary.

It definitely sounded too good to be true.  Make money from the bookies by using a mathematical formula to outsmart their promotions.  Surely even if it was possible, it was illegal?

The month I started matched betting is the month I decided to go full-time with my blog.  I was working a part time cleaning job just to tide me over with cash whilst I made a go of my blog and after my online shop had stopped making so much money.  I’d been making a wage from my blog for a while and was ready to go full-time.  I waited for another five months though just to be sure that my blog was making a consistent income before leaving the regular income of an employed job.

I knew I wanted to leave my job though and so I was exploring other ways to make money from home.  I hoped I could make my blog successful, but I knew there might be quiet months and it was best to diversify my income as much as possible.  I expect this is how I stumbled upon matched betting blog posts as I was researching legit ways to make money online.

Is Matched Betting Legal?

Yes, matched betting is legal in the UK and many other countries. It operates within the framework of gambling regulations, as it involves placing bets with bookmakers and exchanges. The key aspect of matched betting is that it uses promotions and free bet offers to create a risk-free betting environment. By betting on all possible outcomes of a sporting event, you effectively eliminate the risk of losing money, which is why it’s often described as a “risk-free” method of making profits.

However, it’s essential to approach matched betting responsibly. Although it is legal, individual bookmakers may have their own terms and conditions regarding the use of promotions, so it’s crucial to read these carefully. Some bookmakers may limit or close accounts of those who are identified as matched bettors, especially if they are seen to be exploiting their offers. As long as you follow the rules and are aware of the policies of the bookmakers you use, matched betting can be a legitimate and profitable activity. Always gamble responsibly and ensure you stay within your limits to enjoy the experience fully.

Matched Betting Success Stories: My Matched Betting Story

In the end I was convinced that so many bloggers that seemed trustworthy wouldn’t be talking about matched betting so much unless they were really making money from it.

I took their advice and headed to the most recommended matched betting website called Outplayed to see what all the fuss was about.

I decided I was going to risk it.  I can’t remember exactly how much I had to put in to complete the first two offers on the bookie and the exchange, but it was around £60-£100.  I made the decision to give it a go and if I lost the money and it was a big con then lesson learned.  I did this when I had the disposable cash and was prepared to lose it if it was all a lie.

I took part in the first two offers on Outplayed (known as Profit Accumulator when I started but they have since rebranded) without having to sign up to their subscription and I made around £45, just like they promised!

I was amazed!

It seemed too good to be true and far too easy, especially as this company Outplayed basically told me step-by-step what to do and I didn’t even understand how matched betting worked and how on earth I had just made £45.  Even their explanation didn’t make much sense to me, but the more offers I completed the more I got my head around how I was able to extract cash and make a profit from the bookies offers.  Although I still find it difficult to explain to others and probably make them really confused!

It’s one of those things where once you start doing it then it gradually begins to make sense.

Matched Betting Reviews: My Two Year Matched Betting Income Report

I’ve been meaning to write a blog post to share everything I made from matched betting for a while, well at least since I quit, but I’ve just got round to it.  I think it’s useful and interesting to see how much can really be made as a long term matched bettor.

It’s also important to explain that I am a busy mum of two young children who runs her own full-time business.  I did this in my spare time and I didn’t learn all the methods to make money from matched betting, so more can probably be made.  I really only took part in the risk free offers where I was guaranteed a free bet. 

There are other methods that can be learned such as doing ACCA refund bets, but I never had the time to do these or learn about it.  Others do learn other methods and they make a lot more than I ever did!

The first couple of months it took me a long time!  Around 30-60 minutes a day of reading the site, checking offers, following the guides and really being careful when placing bets.  I think my very first bet took me around one hour to place!  I watched the video, read the guide, re-watched the video and so on.  I wanted to be so sure I did it right!!  Of course that is a ridiculously long time and I was being very over cautious.

But after a couple of months I became a whizz at placing bets and it was so quick and easy. Outplayed were always constantly updating their software to make it even easier to place bets and even integrated their calculators with the exchange I used so I didn’t need to leave their site to place some of my bets!

Here’s a look at how much I made each month for two years:

Jan/Feb-17	£753.62
Mar-17	£588.19
Apr-17	£365.00
May-17	£465.95
Jun-17	£249.49
Jul-17	£61.64
Aug-17	£209.66
Sep-17	£274.68
Oct-17	£70.81
Nov-17	£167.00
Dec-17	£113.26
Jan-18	£125.88
Feb-18	£201.81
Mar-18	£343.66
Apr-18	£212.35
May-18	£175.45
Jun-18	£413.63
Jul-18	£197.35
Aug-18	£268.84
Sep-18	£104.06
Oct-18	£53.74
Nov-18	£36.96
Dec-18	£173.30
Jan-19	£41.04
Feb-19	£6.47
Mar-19	£11.31
Total	£5,685.15

Why I Quit Matched Betting

Although matched betting isn’t illegal, it is against the bookies rules.  If they think you are manipulating the free bet offers then they can restrict you from taking part in them.  This is known as being gubbed from a bookie in the matched betting world.

There are tactics to avoid it such as placing pretend bets (known as mug bets), which you can then ‘lay’ (bet against on the exchange) and you’ll lose a small amount of money (pence) to ensure you look like a regular punter.

But I didn’t bother doing this.  It was too time consuming and I had lots of other work and family commitments.

Also from reading the Outplayed forums, there were no hard and fast rules around being gubbed.  Some people literally opened an account with a bookie and got gubbed right away.  Others placed mug bets constantly and still had their account restricted.  Some would only do the free bet offers and never pretend to be a real customer and their accounts were never restricted.

I decided I was just going to take part in the free bet offers and not spend my time pretending to be a real customer.  I would ride the wave for as long as possible until I was gubbed from every account.

Well, I was never gubbed from every bookie, but in the end I was gubbed from 18 of them!

Most of these were the well-known bookies who had all the great free bet offers every week and I was unable to make as much profit anymore.  I was also only able to make a bit of profit on a Saturday and Sunday and I grew a little tired and stressed of having to check every weekend morning to only make a small amount of money.  I decided I wanted my weekends back without any stress and to leave all my money making activities to the weekdays as much as possible.

So I made the decision to stop matched betting and call it a day.  I was really proud of making well over £5000 in two years and in the end it was only taking very little of my time.  To me I had a matched betting success for two years.  It was a great way to make some tax-free cash in my spare time and learn something new.

If we ever move house then I’d definitely do it again or we might give it a couple of years and see if my husband can do it.  This might not totally be the end of my matched betting journey, but for now it is.

Why I recommend using Outplayed for your matched betting journey

I highly recommend matched betting to make tax-free cash in your spare time. I made £5685.15 cash from home in 26 months using Outplayed as a total beginner. Try two offers for free without subscribing! Easily follow their step-by-step guides and videos. I didn’t 'get it' but followed their instructions and made over £5000 in two years in as little as 30 minutes a week!

The platform simplifies the process, breaking it down into manageable steps that anyone can follow, regardless of their experience level. Their extensive resources, including tutorials and a supportive community, make it easy to find answers to any questions you might have along the way. Plus, the ability to track your earnings and progress within the platform keeps you motivated and informed. With a variety of betting offers available, you can easily choose the ones that suit your preferences and schedule. Overall, Outplayed provides a reliable, user-friendly approach to matched betting that can genuinely enhance your income. Whether you're looking to save for a holiday or simply want some extra spending money, this method can be both fun and rewarding.

Please note, while I used the Profit Accumulator matched betting software, they have since changed their name to Outplayed.

Final thoughts on matched betting in the UK using the Outplayed match betting software

So is matched betting worth it? In conclusion, matched betting offers a unique and low-risk approach to betting that can be an excellent opportunity for those looking to make extra income. By leveraging the free bets and promotions provided by bookmakers, individuals can enjoy a potentially lucrative side hustle with minimal risk involved.

For those new to this practice, a matched betting calculator can be an invaluable tool, simplifying the process and ensuring accurate calculations of potential profits. Additionally, exploring reputable sources, like Outplayed reviews, can provide insight into the best strategies and tips for successful matched betting.

If you're in the UK and considering giving matched betting a try, numerous matched betting blogs offer valuable resources and guidance, helping you navigate your journey in this exciting world. Be sure to read a matched betting review to find the right platform that suits your needs, and you'll be well on your way to maximising your earnings.

Happy betting!

Follow my matched betting journey here: 

• I’ve made £300 tax free cash from home in 2 weeks and you can too!
• £753.62 matched betting profit month one (and silly mistakes)
• Matched betting profit 2 months: £1341.81
• Matched betting profit after 3 months: £1706.81
• I've made over £2000 in four months matched betting
• I made over £3000 matched betting in 2017
• Matched betting milestones: 18 months and £5000

Matched betting information and FAQs:

• Not sure about matched betting?  Make £40ish now to see if it’s for you!
• Does matched betting affect mortgage application?
• Is matched betting a gateway to gambling and is it dirty money?
• How I earn up to £50 per hour matched betting from home
• Profit Accumulator review: 6 reasons to use PA to make money matched betting