The 3rd entry in the Arbitrage Hunter series. To view the last entry, click here.

It’s been almost 3 weeks since I started Arbitrage betting, and my bankroll is steadily growing.

The early wins of amounts like $2.78 and $3.54 are turning into $7.21, $8.08, and sometimes even $10+. The daily and weekly profits are flowing in, and it's starting to make the time, effort and discipline worth it.

I’m really starting to see how amazing this movement truly can be, and how amazing the Arbitrage Bet Finder from Pickwatch really is.

So much so that it’s officially gotten to the point where I’m starting to wonder: is Arbitrage betting legal?

More on that in a bit.

BetSmart Subscription Package

I couldn't do any of this without the Pickwatch BetSmart subscription, and tools I can now access like the Arbitrage Bet Tracker. It would take way too much time and energy to manually scan sportsbooks for the perfectly priced odds and lines, and quickly calculate the bet amounts needed to guarantee risk-free profit.

If you're interested in trying BetSmart and all the benefits that come with it, you can still get a 14-Day Free Trial and 50% Off the subscription once the trial ends with promo code PLAYOFF50. This promo will continue until the Super Bowl, so make sure act fast.

And remember, it's not just the Arbitrage Tracker that comes with BetSmart. Here are just some of the other tools:

Arbitrage Betting: Is it Legal?

As I'm starting to profit more with Arbitrage betting, I am consistently wondering to myself: "Self, are we sure this is legal?"

This betting strategy is producing risk-free, guaranteed profit for me on a daily basis. How is this possible? Should I be worried?

Additionally, I want to touch on something else that happened, something that really started to make me question the legality of Arbitrage bets.

Getting "Limited" by a Sportsbook

Earlier this week, I was officially limited by a sportsbook for the first time. I am no longer able to bet more than $10 on anything.

This came as a shock, as I was barely using that specific book for bets. But that didn't stop them from limiting my account, and that especially sparked the question about legality with Arbitrage betting.

It's unfortunate, but not the end of the world. I still have several other sportsbooks I can use.

Is Arbitrage Betting Legal?

Back to the main question: is Arbitrage betting legal?

In short, yes, Arbitrage betting is legal wherever sports betting is legal. That being said, many sportsbooks do outline your potential risk of utilizing the Arbitrage strategy with their service. The risk, however, does not mean legal risk.

Instead, the risk you take with Arbitrage betting at most sportsbooks is that your account can be restricted or limited, and sometimes, you can even be banned from using the book.

Here are some additional details regarding the legality of Arbitrage betting, and tips on how to avoid the risks:

Sportsbook Software

It's 2026, so this should come as a surprise to no one. Sports betting apps and sites use software that can detect patterns of Arbitrage betting. This includes strange betting amounts, frequent deposits and withdrawals, and other unusual activity.

Avoiding Limitation and Restrictions

To avoid being limited, restricted, or banned, Arbitrage bettors can try some of the following strategies:

'Green' your account by placing normal bets. Most Sportsbooks make early decisions on whether you're a pro or not. If you start off an account betting systematically, they'll keep a closer eye on you. Make normal bets to start off with, and they'll usually ignore you for a long time, if not forever in many cases.
Round some wager amounts to the nearest dollar, and use more normal amounts such as $10, $25, $50, etc. While this can eliminate the ability to guarantee the same guaranteed profit amount, it can help you in the long run.
Mix in some normal bets that are not for Abitrage opportunities. While this of course can diminish some profits if you lose, it can help you seem like more of a normal bettor.
Avoid constant withdrawals and deposits to cycle money through different sportsbooks. While this can be tough in the beginning, having a decent amount of money in all of your books and avoiding frequent withdrawals and deposits will help you avoid potential isks.
Try not to bet the max amount, or all that in your account. These can both be telltale signs that you're looking to profit as much as possible, and will continue to do so, or you are just depositing money into your account for each Arbitrage bet you make.

In conclusion, it's important to reiterate the most important takeaway from this: You will not be at risk of facing any criminal charges for using Arbitrage betting strategies, but there are some risks that can hinder your ability to be successful long-term Arbitrage bettor.

Arbitrage Bet of the Week

I've profited with several Arbitrage bets over the last week. Here's one of the top highlights:

Rui Hachimura - Total Three Pointers Made

Using Fanatics Sportsbook and Bally Bet, I was able to lock in this Arbitrage Betting opportunity. I risked a total of just $70 and guaranteed a profit of $12.25.

This was a highlight of the week for two reasons: 1) first, of course, the solid profit with limited money wagered, and 2) it reminded me of a valuable lesson — make sure have a decent amount of bankroll in every account! I nearly lost out on an opportunity to place more, as I had to quickly add some funds to my Bally Bet account, and had to place two different wagers at each sportsbook.

View All NBA Arbitrage Bets

Arbitrage Hunter Series

Continue to follow my journey as I officially become an Arbitrage bettor. I'll continue to post weekly with lessons learned, highlights of my best Arbs each week, and more.

And remember, you can claim your FREE 14-Day Trial of BetSmart today, and get instant access to the Arbitrage Bet Finder and several other valuable sports betting tools.