Arbitrage Betting in Esports: How to Profit from Odds Discrepancies

How Arbitrage Works (Real-World Analogy)

At its core, arbitrage is about capitalising on price differences. Think of it like this: if a product costs S$50 in one market and sells for S$200 in another, you buy low and sell high to pocket the difference. This is the fundamental principle behind arbitrage.

Arbitrage betting mirrors this concept. Instead of physical goods, you're exploiting differences in the odds offered by various betting platforms.

Singapore Esports Arbitrage Example

Let's consider a scenario where Team Alpha is playing against Team Beta. Here's how two different bookmakers might present the odds:

• Bookmaker A: Team Alpha – 2.09, Team Beta – 1.90
• Bookmaker B: Team Alpha – 1.88, Team Beta – 2.11

By placing a bet on Team Alpha with Bookmaker A, and simultaneously betting on Team Beta with Bookmaker B, you can lock in a profit. Whichever team wins, one of your wagers will yield a return greater than your total stake across both bets, guaranteeing a risk-free profit for the astute Singaporean bettor.

How to Do Arbitrage Betting in Esports

Step-by-Step Breakdown

Find Conflicting Odds

Use arbitrage tools or manually compare odds across multiple trusted bookmakers. Focus on two-way Esports markets with only two possible outcomes.

Confirm Arbitrage Opportunity

Use this formula:

(1 / Odds A) + (1 / Odds B) × 100

If the result is under 100, you’ve found an arbitrage opportunity.

Example:

(1 / 2.09 + 1 / 2.11) × 100 = 95.24%

Calculate Stake Distribution

Use this formula to calculate how much to stake on each side:

(Individual Bet Fraction ÷ Arbitrage%) × Total Bet

For a $200 total stake:

Team A: ((1 / 2.09) × 100 × 200) ÷ 95.24 = $100.48
Team B: ((1 / 2.11) × 100 × 200) ÷ 95.24 = $99.52

Place the Bets

Be quick—arbitrage windows close fast as odds shift constantly across sportsbooks.

Collect Your Profit

Your total return will be approximately $209–$211, regardless of the outcome, yielding a $9–$11 profit, risk-free.

Tips for Successful Arbitrage Betting

Even though arbitrage is low-risk, it’s not error-proof. You’ll need discipline and speed. Stick to two-way betting markets and always verify the odds are still valid before placing your bets.

Avoid sportsbooks that frequently limit arbitrage bettors, and rotate platforms when needed. Lastly, double-check every calculation—one mistake can wipe out the margin.

Arbitrage in Esports vs. Traditional Sports

Arbitrage works in both traditional and Esports betting, but Esports offers a unique edge.

• High volatility: Odds swing faster due to patch updates, roster changes, and streaky team performance.
• Obscure markets: Smaller games, such as Valorant or CS:GO qualifiers, often exhibit bigger discrepancies.
• Less efficient pricing: Bookmakers don’t always react fast, giving you more time to execute a profitable trade.

That said, the esports market moves quickly, so precision and fast execution are critical.