Do sportsbooks ban winning sports bettors?Originally Posted by redietz
AI Overview
Yes, sportsbooks can and do ban or limit winning bettors, though it is usually based on how a person wins rather than simply having a winning record. Sportsbooks are for-profit businesses and use risk management to protect their bottom line, so they often restrict "sharp" players who consistently beat them, while welcoming "square" or recreational players who are more likely to lose over time.
Reasons for being banned or limited:
Consistently beating the closing line value (CLV): This is a key metric sportsbooks use to identify sharp bettors. If you place a bet at odds that are more favorable than the final odds, you are getting CLV. Consistently doing this signals to the book that you have an edge.
Betting on "soft" or obscure markets: Sportsbooks often have weaker lines and less information on less-popular events, such as certain player props or less-watched sports. Taking advantage of these markets consistently will attract attention and lead to restrictions.
Arbitrage betting: This is a strategy of placing bets on all possible outcomes of an event across different sportsbooks to guarantee a profit, regardless of the result. Sportsbooks explicitly prohibit this and will quickly ban players caught doing it.
Betting errors or "palpable errors": Occasionally, a sportsbook will post an egregiously incorrect line, known as a "palp". If you frequently and aggressively bet on these error lines, you will be flagged as an advantage player and restricted.
Unusual betting patterns: Wagering very specific amounts (e.g., $117) or placing bets right before a game starts can signal that a bettor is following a sophisticated model rather than betting casually.
Exploiting promotions: Sportsbooks offer promotions to attract new, typically less-experienced bettors. Consistently winning big by using promotional offers, or "bonus hunting," can lead to limits.
Consequences for winning players. When a sportsbook flags a winning player, it can impose restrictions in a few ways:
Lowered betting limits: This is the most common action. Your maximum wager on certain types of bets will be drastically reduced, making it difficult to turn a significant profit.
Reduced access to markets: The sportsbook may restrict you from betting on specific markets, particularly proposition bets, live betting, or other niche areas.
Outright account closure: In the most severe cases, the sportsbook may ban you entirely and close your account. They will still pay out any money owed to you.
Inter-book information sharing: Although not officially confirmed, many bettors believe sportsbooks share information about sharp players. A restriction at one book could make you more likely to be restricted at another.
WHAT SPORTS BOOKS BAN WINNING PLAYERS?
AI Overview
No sportsbook explicitly advertises that it bans winning bettors, as this is a negative business practice they try to conceal. However, many sportsbooks have been reported to ban or limit customers who consistently win, particularly those perceived as "sharp" or professional bettors. In contrast, some sportsbooks are more welcoming of professional action.
DraftKings: Known to limit winning bettors, sometimes extremely heavily, especially those who exhibit patterns of profitable betting.
FanDuel: While sometimes considered less harsh with limitations than DraftKings, it has still been reported to reduce limits on winning accounts.
BetMGM: Some professional bettors report that after a winning streak, their betting limits were drastically slashed.
William Hill (now Caesars): Historically known for banning winning bettors in Nevada and the U.K.
PrizePicks: Considered one of the worst sportsbooks for sharp or profitable players.
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