Arbitrage Betting in Esports: How to Profit from Odds Discrepancies

How Arbitrage Works (Real-World Analogy)

At its core, arbitrage is about exploiting price differences. Imagine a product costs GH₵100 in Accra but sells for GH₵300 in Kumasi. You buy it in Accra, sell it in Kumasi, and keep the profit.

Arbitrage betting follows the same logic. Instead of goods, you're leveraging odds, a common strategy for savvy bettors in Ghana.

Esports Arbitrage Example for Ghanaian Bettors

Let’s say Team Alpha and Team Beta are facing off. Here’s how two bookmakers list the odds:

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

You bet on Team Alpha at Bookmaker A and Team Beta at Bookmaker B. No matter who wins, one of your bets will return more than the total you staked, guaranteeing a profit. This is a key tactic for many Ghanaian esports bettors looking for low-risk wins.

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.