Is Matched Betting Legal?
Matched Betting is 100% legal in the UK.
The reason why many assume Matched Betting might not be legal is that quite simply - it sounds too good to be true!
Thousands of people enjoy making extra money from home and so can you by reading our guide to Matched Betting!
In this article, we’ll take a look at the legalities of Matched Betting along with proof showing that you can trust it’s all above board.
The Legalities Of Matched Betting
If you’re over 18 and live in the UK, you can place bets with bookmakers online and at betting stores.
The gambling industry is super competitive and the different bookmakers all compete for your custom by offering incentives.
Matched Betting is simply taking the bookmakers up on their special offers, but doing so cleverly to cover all outcomes so that you aren’t gambling at all.
This is in NO WAY illegal.
However, bookmakers don’t like this because they just want you to be tempted to gamble and ultimately lose more and more money making them richer and richer.
Matched Betting In The Media
Looking further into it, you’ll see Matched Betting is no secret and thousands of people have been making good money from it for many years.
It’s so popular national media have even covered it.
You can read the full article at the Mail Online.
See the full story at the Express site.
These major news companies would not have the authority to cover Matched Betting if it wasn’t legal or if it was a scam.
You’ll see it’s often recognised as the most effective way of making money online in the UK and you can read more examples of this in other national publications such as The Guardian, The Telegraph and Calvin Ayre.
Matched Betting Reviews And Communities
You’ll find further evidence of how trusted Matched Betting is by looking at external review sites such as Trustpilot.
We’ve had over 2,400 independent reviews and are rated as excellent showing how happy our members are and that we’re a trusted public company.
Beyond this, you can look at public community groups such as our free Facebook group, we’ve got over 50,000 members all helping each other out on their journey along with our experts.
We also have a newbies group with over 30,000 members suitable for anyone just starting their Matched Betting journey.
Why Do Bookmakers Allow Matched Betting?
Bookmakers don’t like Matched Betting but they know it’s a perfectly legal strategy to use.
They’re forced to allow it due to them not being able to prove you’re doing it as you’re covering your bets at other sites (betting exchanges) so they often have no idea you’re a Matched Bettor!
If any bookies suspect you’re Matched Betting they may restrict your account from offers, also known as being ‘gubbed’.
Being gubbed is not ideal when Matched Betting but it’s just part and parcel of the journey, some bookies restrict accounts quickly and others will last much longer.
You can protect your accounts for longer by sticking to our top tips to avoid being gubbed.
But, so long as bookies continue to run special offers to attract new customers and keep them, they’ll have to put up with us Matched Bettors so they can remain competitive with each other.
Do Betting Exchanges Allow Matched Betting?
Unlike bookmakers, betting exchanges such as Matchbook approve of and encourage Matched Betting.
Betting exchanges make money by taking a small commission from winning bets so the more money in their betting markets the more they will make.
Exchanges appreciate the extra liquidity that Matched Bettors bring to their markets so they offer great deals such as 0% commission which you can claim with Matchbook.
If you ever have any contact with betting exchanges, it’s fine to explain you do Matched Betting but you’d never mention it to any bookies.
Why Isn’t Everyone Doing It?
You’d be surprised just how many people already have and continue to do Matched Betting.
There are several different Matched Betting services available and since Outplayed started in 2014, we’ve had over 150,000 paying customers. Making Outplayed the biggest and most trusted Matched Betting site in the UK.
Our members continue to make brilliant profits from the comfort of their homes making Matched Betting worth it still this year and beyond.
For those who aren’t making money from Matched Betting yet, the main reason is often that they either haven’t heard of it yet or think it sounds like a scam.
It’s understandable with the many scams that exist online today which is why we think it’s so important that you first try Matched Betting for free so you can learn the basics and see how it works before paying for any service.
Additionally, we’re so confident that you’ll make money and love Outplayed that you can claim a full 100% refund during your first 30 days if you’re unhappy with our service for any reason.
Do I Need To Pay Tax On Matched Betting Profits?
Nope, not a penny! This is another reason that makes Matched Betting one of the best side hustles around.
Gambling winnings are completely tax-free in the UK so even though you won't be “gambling” when Matched Betting, your profits will be classed as gambling winnings.
So you keep 100% of the profits you make from each offer!
Summary
It’s important to remember that Matched betting is not a get-rich-quick scheme and like anything worthwhile - does take some time and effort.
Providing you’re over 18 and live in the UK it’s 100% legal for you to do Matched Betting and is a legitimate way to earn extra cash in your spare time from the comfort of your home.
Also, you can enjoy the extra perk that any profits are entirely tax-free!
Now you know Matched Betting is legal, you’re ready to learn our top Matched Betting tips to help you maximise your profits this year.
Updated: 22 Sep 2024
The Author
Ben is an expert in Matched Betting with nearly a decade of hands-on experience. He enjoys sharing his knowledge and is dedicated to creating high-quality, beginner-friendly content that educates and informs readers about the amazing opportunity that Matched Betting is.