Steps Bookies May Take Before Closing Your Account
The first question a bookmaker will consider about a punter who has won a lot of money from them is are they likely to win more or are they more likely to give them some, all, or even more back than the sum of money they’ve won.
A small independent bookmaker that I know told me he once had a punter he’d never seen before come in his shop and place a £100 reverse forecast on two horses in a race. The bet duly won, and the punter pocketed a cool £10,000 for his £200 investment.
The man then wrote out another £100 reverse forecast, but the bookmaker declined the bet and asked the man to take his business elsewhere. The story goes that the man went into another betting shop further up the road and promptly lost £21,000 in that shop before the day was out.
So, you can see that bookies face a dilemma as to whether they should ban a winner or risk that he will lose those winnings and more in the long run.
Such is the competitiveness of modern bookmaking; most bookmakers will take steps before banning a punter completely. Bookmakers have the power to limit the amount of money you can have on any selection they choose. You may want to have £100 on a horse but a bookmaker is within his rights to limit you, for example, to a £10 bet.
Some bookmakers will also rescind certain concessions that are freely available to most punters. For example, if you have a habit of picking winners that drift in the market, don’t be surprised if you’re stripped of BOG (best odds guaranteed) on all your bets.
Do Bookmakers Close The Accounts Of Professional Punters?
Closure of bookmaker accounts is an issue that professional punters have been dealing with since betting began and, of course, many have had accounts closed by bookmakers. To avoid this, professional punters have devised a variety of measures.
Pro punters that have had all their accounts closed often employ other people to put bets on for them. This often takes place on-course where it is more difficult for bookmakers to pick up betting patterns.
Many pro punters will also spread their bets around many bookmakers, meaning winnings are paid out in smaller amounts, which tends to mean they won’t get flagged-up in the same way that a big winning bet would.
Some pro punters have also become professional tipsters, charging monthly subscriptions to punters that are only too happy to pay for advice that will help them make a profit from horse racing. This is similar to the pro punter spreading his bets about or getting people to put his bets on for him. The only difference is other people place winning bets and simply pay the tipster for his services.
How Do I Stop The Bookies Banning Me For Winning?
If you’re great at picking winners or making a profit from betting by following a proven professional tipster, there are a variety of ways you can limit the chances of them banning you.
The first step is to open a variety of betting accounts so that you can spread your bets around. If you have £30 on a 20/1 winner with one bookmaker, this will probably go unnoticed. But if you win several similar bets in a small period of time, the bookmaker is likely to sit up and take notice.
It’s much better to have £10 bets with three different bookmakers, as a £200 win will go under the radar much easier than a £600 win. Most professional tipsters will advise a bet at odds that are available at more than one bookmaker.
Of course, by having lots of betting accounts, there are literally hundreds of combinations of bookmakers you could use. For example, Ladbrokes, Coral, and William Hill may be offering the best odds about your first bet, while Bet365, Betfred, and Paddy Power could be offering the best odds about your second bet. You can then combine these and many more bookmakers into different combinations, making it much harder for bookmakers to spot betting patterns.
Utilize Betting Exchanges
Even if bookmakers do close all your accounts for winning too much, betting exchanges such as Betfair, Smarkets, Matchbook, or Betdaq means you’ll always have somewhere to place bets without fear of your account being closed.
But it’s better to get ahead of the game and also use betting exchanges as a regular betting platform. It’s true that most professional tipsters will advise selections at odds that are available with more than one bookmaker (at Betting Gods ALL of our published tips and results use odds available with a minimum of 3 bookmakers), but this is because of a liquidity issue, as it allows many punters that follow tipsters to get on at the advised odds.
The problem with betting exchanges is you aren’t guaranteed to get a price, as the markets fluctuate quickly depending on demand and supply. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t grab a bigger price on the exchanges about your tipster’s selections if one is available.
But betting on the exchanges does come with a small caveat, as you won’t get BOG on any of your bets. But if you’ve already had that concession limited at some bookmakers, that won’t matter.
The other interesting angle about the Betfair Exchange is Betfair SP, as Betfair SP returns are normally bigger than industry SP’s. Some tipsters promote Betfair SP bets as these won’t shorten the odds of selection with bookmakers or exchanges. Indeed, Betfair SP returns can be very lucrative if a selection is a drifter with the bookmakers.
What you do need to factor in when betting on the exchanges is you have to pay commission on your winnings, so you’ll need to work out whether the exchange odds minus any commission is better than the odds that are available with the bookmakers.
We hope that’s answered your question, can bookies ban you for winning.
Can bet365 ban you for winning?
While Bet365 is a reputable and legitimate sports betting site, there have been cases where users have reported being restricted or banned from the site after winning large amounts of money. However, it’s important to note that Bet365 and other sports betting sites have strict policies and procedures in place to prevent fraud and unethical behavior, and that being banned for winning is not a common occurrence.
In general, Bet365 and other sports betting sites may restrict or ban users for a variety of reasons, including suspected fraud, multiple accounts, or violations of the site’s terms and conditions. Of course, as a business they are free to accept or refuse to do business with whoever they wish.
Can bookies refuse to pay out?
Yes, bookmakers or betting operators have the right to refuse to pay out under certain circumstances. While most reputable bookmakers strive to maintain fairness and transparency, there are situations where they may withhold payment. Some common reasons include:
1. Violation of Terms and Conditions: If a bettor breaches the terms and conditions of the betting platform, the bookmaker may refuse to pay out any winnings. This could include actions like engaging in fraudulent activities, using multiple accounts, or exploiting loopholes in the system.
2. Verification and KYC: Bookmakers often require bettors to go through a Know Your Customer (KYC) process to verify their identity. If a bettor fails to provide the necessary documentation or provides false information, the bookmaker may withhold payouts until verification is completed.
3. Market Errors: In some cases, bookmakers might make errors in the odds or the market listing. If a bet is placed on an obvious and significant error, the bookmaker may void the bet and refund the stake.
4. Suspicious Betting Patterns: Bookmakers may scrutinize betting patterns, especially in cases of suspected match-fixing or insider information. If they detect unusual or suspicious betting activity, they may withhold payouts pending investigation.
5. Self-Exclusion or Problem Gambling: If a bettor has self-excluded or is identified as having a gambling problem, the bookmaker may withhold payouts to protect the individual from further harm.
It’s essential for bettors to read and understand the terms and conditions of the betting platform they use. Reputable bookmakers will outline their rules regarding payout procedures and under what circumstances they may withhold winnings. If there is a dispute, bettors can often escalate the matter to the relevant gambling authority or seek legal advice if needed.
Does Betway ban winners?
There have been reports of some users being restricted or banned from Betway after winning large amounts of money, but it’s important to note that this is not a common occurrence. Betway and other legitimate sports betting sites have strict policies and procedures in place to prevent fraud and unethical behaviour, and being banned for winning is not a common reason.
How do you not get banned from bookies?
To avoid getting banned from bookmakers, it’s essential to adhere to their terms and conditions and engage in responsible and fair betting practices. Here are some tips to help you stay in good standing with bookmakers:
1. Read and Understand the Terms and Conditions: Familiarise yourself with the rules and regulations of the bookmaker. Pay close attention to any restrictions on betting patterns, promotions, and account usage.
2. Avoid Fraudulent Activities: Do not engage in any fraudulent behaviour, such as using multiple accounts, providing false information during the registration process, or attempting to manipulate the system.
3. Responsible Gambling: Set limits on your betting activities and gamble responsibly. Avoid chasing losses and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
4. Verify Your Account: Complete the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and provide accurate information when requested. Failure to verify your identity may lead to payment issues or account suspension.
5. Avoid Arbitrage Betting and Sharp Betting: Some bookmakers frown upon arbitrage betting, where bettors take advantage of different odds at multiple bookmakers to guarantee a profit. Similarly, sharp betting, where skilled bettors consistently beat the odds, can attract attention.
6. Don’t Exploit Errors: If you spot an obvious and significant error in the odds or market, avoid placing bets on them. Bookmakers may void such bets and may take further action.
7. Be Wary of Betting Syndicates: Joining or being associated with betting syndicates or groups that engage in suspicious activities could put your account at risk.
8. Avoid Inappropriate Language and Behaviour: Maintain respectful communication with customer support and avoid using inappropriate language or behaviour when interacting with the bookmaker.
9. Keep Your Account Active: Regularly use your betting account for legitimate betting activities to keep it active. Some bookmakers may close inactive accounts.
10. Stay Informed: Be aware of any changes in the bookmaker’s terms and conditions, and remain updated on relevant betting regulations and policies.
Remember that bookmakers have the right to refuse service to anyone and may ban or restrict accounts at their discretion, especially if they suspect fraudulent behaviour or policy violations. Always use reputable and licensed bookmakers to ensure fair treatment and protection of your betting activities.
