The best sportsbooks and exchanges for arbitrage betting
Look for books with high limits, fast payouts, and odds they set themselves, since independent pricing is what creates gaps. In the US the main ones are DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics. Betting exchanges make a good second leg because they rarely limit winners. Arbocado's Arbitrage Finder scans all of them at once.
- Arbitrage needs accounts at two or more sportsbooks, because one book can't disagree with itself.
- The best arbitrage books have high limits, fast payouts, and set their own odds. In the US that includes DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics.
- Betting exchanges let you back or lay an outcome and rarely limit winning accounts.
- Which books you can use depends on your state or country.
- Every book you add is another price that can disagree with the rest, so more accounts means more arbitrage opportunities.
The short answer
Use books with high limits, fast payouts, and odds they set themselves. Independent pricing is what creates the gaps. In the US, the main ones are DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics. Betting exchanges make a strong second leg because they rarely limit winning accounts.
No single book is best, because every arb needs two. The bigger factor is how many accounts you hold. Each book you add is one more price that can drift out of line with the rest.
What makes a good arbitrage book
- Independent odds. Books that set their own lines, rather than copying a market leader, disagree with the market more often.
- High limits. Bigger maximum stakes let you put more on each edge before it closes.
- Fast payouts. You need to move money between books quickly to keep it working.
- Tolerance for winners. Some books limit sharp bettors sooner than others. Exchanges are the most tolerant.
The main books and exchanges
| Sportsbook or exchange | Type | Why it helps for arbitrage |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Sportsbook | Deep liquidity and wide market coverage |
| FanDuel | Sportsbook | Sets its own prices, which often differ from rivals |
| BetMGM | Sportsbook | Wide range of markets and competitive lines |
| Caesars | Sportsbook | Frequent price gaps on main lines |
| bet365 | Sportsbook | Large international and in-play menus |
| Fanatics | Sportsbook | Newer book that often prices independently |
| Betting exchanges | Exchange | Back or lay any side, and rarely limit winners |
Exchanges take a commission on net winnings, usually 2% to 5%, and it matters on thin edges. Backing the Yankees at 2.20 and laying them at 2.10 looks like a 2.2% arb. After a 3% commission it's 1.4%: $3.56 on $250.
Back at a book, lay on an exchange
Back at 2.20 on FanDuel, lay at 2.10 on an exchange charging 3%.
Outcomes (2-way)
- Outcome 1SelectionSportsbook
OddsStake$+120 · 6/5 · 45.45% · Returns $253.57
Bet typeCommission% - Outcome 2LaySelectionExchangeLay oddsLay stake$
+110 · 11/10 · 47.62% · Liability $134.74, covers "Yankees" losing
Bet typeCommission%
Result
Guaranteed profit $3.56
1.42% return on $250.00. You get this back whichever outcome wins.
- Total stake
- $250.00
- Profit
- $3.56
- ROI
- 1.42%
- Market total
- 97.84%
| If this wins | Stake | Profit |
|---|---|---|
| YankeesFanDuel | $115.26 | +$3.57 |
| Yankees losesExchange | $122.49 | +$3.56 |
Break-even odds
How far each price can move, with the others unchanged, before the edge is gone.
- Yankees≥ 2.134
- Yankees (lay)≤ 2.164
How many sportsbooks do you need?
At least two. More is better, though, because the number of opportunities grows with each book you add. Serious arbitrage bettors keep funded accounts at most of the major books available to them.
Spreading bets across many books also makes you less likely to be limited. See how to avoid getting your account limited.
Coverage depends on your location
Which books you can use depends on your state or country. Open every reputable book available where you live, keep a few of them funded, and use a scanner to see where the gaps are.
Scan every book at once
Arbocado's Arbitrage Finder checks every major book and exchange in your state at the same time and lists live sure bets with each stake already calculated.
Open the Arbitrage FinderNew to arbitrage? Start with how arbitrage betting works, then learn how to calculate arbitrage bets.
Frequently asked questions
Which sportsbooks are best for arbitrage betting?
Books with high limits, fast payouts, and independently set odds work best. In the US that means DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, and Fanatics. Betting exchanges are also useful because they rarely limit winning accounts.
How many sportsbooks do I need for arbitrage betting?
At least two, since an arbitrage needs two books that disagree on the odds. More is better. Each extra book is another chance for a price gap, so serious arbitrage bettors keep accounts at most of the major books in their state.
Do I need a betting exchange to arbitrage?
No, but it helps. An exchange lets you lay an outcome (bet against it), and because the exchange earns a commission on every bet, it has little reason to limit winners. That makes it a reliable second leg.