Why do Bookies Close Accounts

Account restrictions is a familiar topic for most bettors. Most dedicated players have certainly come across this phenomenon, although in many cases even casual ones have been banned by bookies.

Even some of the biggest and most decorated betting sites often set betting limits, in an effort to deal with lost profits. In a sense, bookies limit or close winning accounts, as they prefer to attract casual players (even those who tend to bet smaller amounts) as they usually put less research into their bets and practically don’t mind losing. It is those casual players, the ones who lose seemingly insignificant amounts, that really keep bookmakers in business, as these small amounts pile up. It is casual bettors who provide bookies with a near-secure profit.

It is the other kind of players, high-rollers, or even pros, who can potentially pose a threat to betting companies. Those who play smartly and aim to win rather than focus on fun bets. And it is that kind of player who often has their bets restricted and their accounts suspended.

We ourselves have experienced restrictions and bans. Thus we created an expert guide on how to avoid restrictions and closures.

How do Bookmakers Deal with Winning Customers

The betting industry is a highly profitable one, but just like a brick-and-mortar casino, betting sites need to screen the players and minimize the number of regular winners. Remember that even if the bookie provides the platform for the game and tries to attract new players with bonuses and promotions, you are in the end playing not with but against it. The problem is that the betting site is the one that sets the rules and is holding all the dice.

The most common tactic to deal with winners is setting betting limits. In this case, bookies do not really ban you from winning, but rather force you to search for alternatives, as the limited winning amount might not be worth the bet. The next step is, of course, suspending accounts altogether. By tracking their clientele’s playing behaviors, they find out which accounts are not profitable for them. Those habits and behaviors vary and are not restricted to winning. The time in which the bet was placed (as pros tend to bet way in advance, whilst casuals play last-minute), the usage or not of bonuses, the odds that are preferred, and even the simultaneous activity on competitor websites, are taken into account during the screening.

It is these players who are often limited to a maximum stake, or even have their accounts banned, bets canceled, or their deposits returned.

How to avoid betting restrictions

Playing against the bookie in their home field (meaning their own platform) is an unfair battle, but there are ways to keep a low profile and prevent your account from being closely monitored. You are advised to mix and match some of the following tips to avoid actions being taken against your account.

Mask the smartness of your bets. It is pretty obvious that a smart bettor is unwanted by bookies. One of the simplest ways to show your “innocence” is to adopt habits used by the majority of beer-and-pretzels players. Try placing your bets during the weekend or in the evening, when traffic is at its peak. You might also consider throwing a few casino bets in the mix (possibly losing a small amount in favor of the long-run win), or putting some money on popular bets, without caring too much about the margins.

Round up your stakes. This is the simplest of tricks. It won’t make the difference by itself, but it will certainly help, as many bookies monitor odd amounts to spot strategies or betting software. So, a bet of 100 units of your local currency is always better than let’s say 97.

Smartly manage accounts on different bookies. As we mentioned above, many bookmakers tend to collect account data and cross-check with other platforms. It is thus smart to avoid using the same details at all betting sites. Use different usernames and make bookies work for tracking your off-site behavior. When you do set up a new account, try depositing small sums and keep a low profile for a couple of days, in order not to trigger a flag action and when you do win big, or have a bonus fulfilled, avoid immediately withdrawing money. But possibly the most important aspect of having multiple accounts is the correct management. Recently winning accounts should probably be given a rest and the focus should shift to losing ones. Don’t be fixed on best odds, especially when using a young account, as a value bet can be placed at slightly worst odds and raise less suspicion.

Minimize betting on suspicious events. Occasionally betting on lower-tier foreign leagues provides the best value, but it can also be the safest way to attract unwanted attention. Doing it once or twice (especially during off-hours, when higher-profile leagues are off) is okay, but regularly betting and winning on obscure events will most certainly stick out.

Continue using limited accounts. If your account is limited, you can be sure that it continues to be monitored. By keeping the same routine you can show the monitors that you too are a recreational bettor. On top of that, restrictions often have exceptions and you might be able to continue betting your preferred amounts on different sports leagues.

Consider breaking your winning streak. The phrase “consider losing” sounds way too negative to even type, but in essence, this can be a valuable weapon in your arsenal. If you are covered with a bet at the exchange, don’t be afraid to throw in a losing bet every now and again.

Can you Remove your Betting Account Limits?

Unfortunately not. The only way to protect your account is to work proactively, using some of the aforementioned tips and tricks. If you don’t want to deal with camouflaging your betting behavior, then you should consider some of the alternatives.

Betting exchanges don’t necessarily offer the best value (although some times they do), but the very fact that you are playing against other bettors rather than the bookie, makes you immune to monitoring.

Physical betting shops usually offer anonymous bet placing and many people tend to trade value for the peace of mind that anonymity can provide.

The other alternative is a sharp bookie, known for not only accepting but even welcoming arbitrage players. What a sharp bookie does is quickly adjusting odds (usually using software to do so), better reflecting the true probability of an outcome. This means that value bets are harder to find, but arbing is not frowned upon and penalized.

Another alternative might be joining a betting syndicate, although in that case, you might be relying upon other players’ pool selections too heavily. If winning a rather unpopular pool, the winnings might just not be worth it.

Bookmakers Palpable Error Rule

A bet can be voided by the bookmaker if they claim that it was a palpable error. This practically means that a bookie has made an obvious mistake, such as reversing the odds of a given fixture.

A player’s bot is pretty much discovering the bookie’s mistake, but there are two kinds of mistakes. If the consensus is that the odds should be around a certain amount, but a player believes this to be wrong, this is fair game. If one bookmaker has made an accidental mistake, then this is subject to the palpable error rule. Can a bookie cancel a bet in that case? They sure can and will.

It is a general rule that you don’t try to exploit palps. If you have spotted an obvious error, the safest way is to place your bet by phone (asking for odds confirmation) or visit a betting shop.

Can bookies refuse to pay out?

It might seem unfair, but the truth is that bookmakers can refuse to pay a winning bet for a variety of reasons. The palpable error rule discussed above is one of them. These errors are usually spotted in advance and bets are voided on time, but occasionally bookies realize it after a bet has settled. In these cases, they typically pay using the correct odds. Another reason to have your earnings not paid is any case of breaching the terms and conditions, such as using multiple accounts or abusing free bets and bonuses.

Do bookies have to pay out by law?

No. Betting payouts are still regarded as “debts of honor”, a deliberately vague term, that protects betting sites. If a bookie or casino site suspects any breach of the signed agreement, they can refuse to pay the winnings and there is little to be done about it.

Are betting sites allowed to set a minimum bet limit?

Yes. In most cases and in most countries, bookies are free to set any stake or market limit.

Is it legal for betting sites to limit your account?

Absolutely. They are a service provider and they can choose the way they provide their services. Bookies can limit or even terminate winning accounts at will.

Can bookies cancel bets?

Yes, bookies can void bets, if the odds are declared to be result of an obvious error, as per the palpable error rule.