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E.N. (3 czerwca 2005):
Hi Bill, I would like to ask what are the reason(s) that bookies ban arbitragers from their sites. I mean arbitragers could be seen as a helping hand some times, right?

What is the average time period that an arbitrager will remain in a bookie before being expelled?
Why do some bookies accept arbitagers while others don´t?

t.i.a.
Emmanuel


SBR Bill Dozer:
Hello,

There are a few reasons why arbitragers/scalpers/traders are undesirable to recreational sportsbooks. A recreational player base brings an even-flow of somewhat predicable action throughout the sportsbook. It allows the bookmaker to move its odds based largely on the amount of money taken on each side of a bet.

When a scalper is scalping, he forces the recreational-style bookmaker to watch the market prices more than they would like. For example, if the consensus line on the Celtics is -3 and the high-limit, "professional" sportsbooks suddenly move to Celtics -3.5 (priced at -120), the recreational book´s scalpers will jump on the Celts -3 all at once before the linesman has a chance to move to the new consensus line of -3.5. The bookmaker does not want these surges in one-sided wagers but the arbitrage player gives him no choice.


Now, apply this problem to every line that is about to move and every weak number that should be moved. This is a losing proposition for the house that will eat into long term profit goals.

These players are using sharp numbers from other sportsbooks in an effort to bet into the slower sportsbook before it can change the odds. I have heard some substandard bookmakers go to the extreme of calling the whole process “insider trading”. They say that the bettor does not like or dislike a team, but since he has been given information about which way the odds will go he will make a play.

Most players resent the notion that this is cheating, and rightfully so. However, many of these same players refuse to recognize that sportsbooks come in different breeds. They are upset by the fact that the book is unwilling to take their bets. You might hear these players complain “I wish XYZ sportsbook would grow some balls” or “Sportsbook XYZ is afraid to book a bet”. Players like to think of themselves as being too good for the book but it is actually the other book that the player is using on the other side of his scalps that they do not want to compete with. There is nothing wrong with grinding and playing weak numbers; but players who do this will soon realize they are not the target customer for all sportsbooks. A qulaity book who wishes to part ways with these customers will do so without passing on any penalties to the player.

Sportsbooks that happliy accept scalpers do so because they are using the market to their advantage. They will move their lines according to what their own sharp players´ wagers. These books will steer the rest of the market. With Pinnacle and CRIS being must-haves for line shoppers, the recreational sportsbook can be sure that its scalpers are also using them. This forces them to follow these high limit sharp books to some extent. The more arbitragers a book has, the more it will have to follow the Pinnacles and the rest of the market, instead of having the luxury of managing its own gamblers while only glancing at what their neighbor is doing. Even a non-scalper who plays these weak numbers will be feared.

There isn´t an average time period that a book will allow an individual to scalp its lines. I have seen a player be shown the door after one bet, while others have scalped lines without restrictions. It depends on many factors such as when you place these bets, for how much, the promotions involved, and what other kind of action you give the book.

Regards,
Bill Dozer