There are several reasons why bookmakers restrict, limit, or close betting accounts. Usually, it’s because you’re betting smarter or making more money than they want you to. If you’re a profitable bettor, account restrictions and closures are inevitable—but that doesn’t mean you can’t take steps to keep your accounts open for as long as possible.
Article Contents
Why Do Bookmakers Restrict Accounts?
Understanding why bookmakers take action against certain players is the first step in avoiding restrictions. Here are the main reasons:
1. You’re a Profitable Bettor
Bookmakers do not exist to give away money. If you regularly profit, they will take action. Even if they don’t know exactly how you’re making money or what strategy you’re using, their systems can detect profitable accounts, leading to restrictions or closures.
2. Your Bet Selections Are Consistently ‘Marked’
If you consistently bet on selections that attract smart money, you will be flagged. Even if you haven’t profited yet, bookmakers monitor bets that indicate a strategy, such as arbitrage, following sharp tipsters, or taking advantage of early odds.
3. Your Identity or Location Raises Suspicion
Bookmakers track locations, IP addresses, and betting histories. If you live in an area known for professional betting or use the same details as someone previously restricted, you may be flagged and restricted.
4. You Exploit Promotions Too Often
Taking full advantage of free bets, bonuses, and casino promotions may lead to restrictions. Even matched betting, while legal, can result in your account being marked as unprofitable to the bookmaker.
5. You Show Signs of Multi-Accounting or Fraudulent Activity
If you create multiple accounts, use false details, or place bets from restricted countries, your account will be closed. Bookmakers use sophisticated fraud detection systems to catch these activities.
How Bookmakers Monitor Accounts
Bookmakers use advanced tracking methods to detect patterns associated with profitable bettors. Some of the key ways they monitor accounts include:
1. Data Analytics and Risk Profiling
Bookmakers use machine learning algorithms to analyse betting patterns. If your activity shows signs of professional betting, such as consistently backing value bets or placing high-stakes bets on niche markets, you may be flagged.
2. Shared Databases
Many bookmakers share customer data within their parent companies. If you’ve been restricted by one brand, others within the same group (e.g., Ladbrokes and Coral) may also take action against you.
3. IP Tracking and Device Fingerprinting
Bookmakers log IP addresses and device information to detect multi-accounting or users associated with previously restricted accounts. If you use a flagged IP address or device, your account may be monitored more closely.
4. Unusual Betting Behaviour
Consistently betting at high odds, placing large bets immediately after line movements, or betting at odd hours can indicate that you’re not a casual punter. Bookmakers look for these signals when deciding whether to limit an account.
How to Avoid Account Restrictions and Limits
If you want to bet profitably without being restricted, you need to stay under the radar. Here’s how:
1. Mix in ‘Mug Bets’
If every bet you place is on sharp odds or part of a strategy, your account will be flagged. To blend in, place some casual bets—such as accumulators or bets on mainstream football matches—to appear like a regular ‘Mug’ punter.
2. Keep Deposit and Stake Sizes Low
Avoid large initial deposits and staking the maximum amount straight away. Instead, gradually build up your activity so that your betting pattern appears natural.
3. Vary Your Betting Habits
Betting only on one sport or using the same stake every time is a giveaway. Mix up your bets, change stake sizes, and occasionally bet on different markets to avoid looking like a system bettor.
4. Stick to Round Stake Amounts
Using odd stake sizes, such as £5.47, suggests a calculated strategy. Instead, place bets in rounded figures like £5 or £10 to avoid unnecessary scrutiny.
5. Avoid Suspicious Betting Patterns
Betting at unusual times (e.g., early in the morning) or always choosing high odds could lead to your account being monitored. Try to bet at times and on markets that recreational bettors typically use.
6. Manage Your IP Address
Avoid betting from locations with a history of professional betting. If possible, use a fresh IP address with no previous gambling activity.
7. Don’t Overdo Winning Strategies
If you’ve found a profitable strategy, don’t overuse it. Slowly build your profits rather than hammering the same bookmaker until they inevitably restrict your account.
8. Use Different Details Across Bookmakers
Never falsify your details, but vary your usernames and email addresses across bookmakers, especially within the same betting group. This makes it harder for them to track you across multiple sites.
9. Withdraw Funds in Small Amounts
Large withdrawals raise red flags. Instead of withdrawing a huge sum at once, take out smaller amounts periodically to avoid attracting unnecessary attention.
10. Accept Restrictions and Move On
If you’re restricted, fighting the bookmaker is usually a waste of time. Instead, focus on preserving your remaining accounts and finding betting sites that don’t limit winners.
Ethical and Legal Considerations
It’s important to differentiate between smart betting strategies and outright fraud. While using techniques to avoid restrictions is fair game, certain activities cross ethical and legal boundaries.
What’s Acceptable:
- Value betting
- Using multiple bookmakers to find the best odds
- Strategic use of promotions within the bookmaker’s terms
What’s Not Acceptable:
- Multi-accounting (having multiple accounts under different names)
- Using VPNs to bet from restricted countries
- Exploiting software vulnerabilities
If you engage in fraudulent activities, bookmakers will not hesitate to close your accounts permanently, and in some cases, they may even withhold winnings.
Is It Unfair That Bookmakers Reject Winners?
On the surface, it might seem unfair. However, there are two sides to the argument.
Why It’s Unfair:
- The bookmaker’s overround should theoretically ensure profits on every event, meaning a few winning bettors shouldn’t be a major concern.
- Professional bettors are simply playing the same game back at the bookmakers, and their profits aren’t usually large enough to impact the business significantly.
- For every profitable bettor restricted, there are many others losing heavily, making the process seem hypocritical.
Why It’s Fair:
- Bookmakers are businesses, not charities. Their model isn’t designed to provide profitable opportunities indefinitely.
- They have every right to protect their revenue by restricting players with a high probability of winning consistently.
- Not all profitable bettors play fairly. Some exploit software vulnerabilities or other loopholes, which damages the industry.
Ultimately, bookmakers want customers who don’t seek value. If you’re consistently winning, you will be seen as a problem rather than a valued customer. The key is to avoid drawing too much attention to yourself.
Can You Convince Bookmakers to Reopen Your Account?
It’s incredibly difficult. Once a bookmaker identifies you as a profitable bettor, they are unlikely to reverse their decision.
Even if you try to appeal, bookmaker staff have little incentive to reinstate an account that they believe could cost them money. For them, the risk simply isn’t worth it.
Your best approach is to accept the inevitable restrictions and focus on prolonging the lifespan of your other accounts. If you are consistently profitable, you should also consider using betting exchanges or bet brokers that don’t restrict winners.
The Long-Term Solution: Betting Exchanges
If you want to bet without restrictions, the best long-term solution may be to shift towards betting exchanges such as Matchbook, Betfair, and Smarkets. Unlike traditional bookmakers, exchanges do not limit winners because they earn money from commission rather than taking the opposite side of your bets. This means they have no interest in restricting profitable bettors.
For serious bettors looking to sustain their profits, betting exchanges offer a much fairer platform. While commission fees do apply, they provide an unrestricted environment where skilled bettors can operate without fear of account closures or stake limits.
Betting Sites That Don’t Restrict Winners
Some betting sites operate with a ‘Winners Welcome’ policy and do not limit successful players. These primarily include betting exchanges and bet brokers.
For a full list, read my guide on betting sites that will not close your account for winning.
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