If you’ve been consistently making money from bookmakers, you’ve probably encountered the frustrating reality of being restricted from promotions. This is commonly referred to as being “gubbed.” Essentially, bookmakers are admitting defeat, acknowledging that you’re likely to beat them in the long run, and deciding they no longer want your business.
While we can’t prevent bookmakers from doing this entirely, there are strategies to help extend the lifespan of your accounts and delay the gubbing process for as long as possible.
Understanding Why Bookmaker Gub Accounts?
Bookmakers operate as businesses, and any customer who doesn’t generate profit for them becomes a liability. Unfortunately for bettors, there are no laws preventing bookmakers from limiting or banning customers who consistently win and cost them money.
That means that any method that wins money long term, such as:
- Matched Betting
- Value Betting
- Arbitrage Betting
- Following Profitable Tipsters
Ultimately will lead to a bookmaker deciding that they do not want to take your bets or business anymore!
15 Top Tips To Avoid Being Gubbed by The Bookies
Now that we understand why bookmaker gub accounts, let’s move on to the strategies you can use to prolong that from happening and extract as much profit as possible from a bookmaker before they realize you are a sharp bettor.
1. Prime Your Account
Betting accounts come under the most scrutiny when they are first opened. This is why you should “prime” your account. Priming your account means that you place bets to look like a regular losing sports bettor before you start taking value.
2. Bet your favourite team
One effective strategy is to start by betting on popular teams like Manchester United, Liverpool, or Arsenal during the first three weeks after opening your account. By laying these bets, you’ll lose only a small amount but give the impression to the bookmaker that you’re a casual, recreational bettor.
3. Place Accumulator bets
Another way to look like a fun bettor is to place a few accumulator bets on your account. This is a good thing to do on new accounts but it is also smart to do this on established accounts in order to prolong their usage. An accumulator bet, often called an “acca,” is a type of wager that combines multiple selections into a single bet. To win an accumulator, all the selections must be successful.
4. Use the casino
Bookmakers love customers who use the casino. Unlike sports betting where skill can overcome the margins that bookmakers place on their markets. Unless there is a bonus involved most casino games are unbeatable and as such, are a license for bookmakers to print money. To help extend the life of your account, consider playing a small amount in the casino after opening it. Only a few spins can help you appear as a more casual and less “sharp” customer.
5. Don’t arbitrage bet
In the same way that bookmakers love those who use their casino, they hate those who make arbitrage bets. This is due to the fact that arbitrage bets are often available when a bookmaker is lagging behind the rest of the market and offering high-value odds. They know that those who take these high value odds will win long term and as such do not want their business.
6. Avoid obscure bets
If you open a new account and immediately start placing high value bets on the Georgian Premier League it’s going to attract attention. For longevity try to bet on the most popular sports and leagues when possible.
7. Don’t bet draws
Here’s a story that might sound a bit unusual, but stay with me. Not long ago, I opened a brand-new account with Betway and was given a £50 free bet as part of their welcome offer. Strangely enough, shortly after, I received a call from a Betway employee. To my surprise, they asked me what I planned to do with my free bet.
At the time, the big game of the day was Chelsea vs. Arsenal. To keep things casual, I told them I was probably going to bet on Chelsea. However, once I took a closer look at the odds, I realized the draw offered the best value, so that’s where I placed my bet.
Fast forward to the next day, my account was gubbed. That’s when it dawned on me, I’d made a rookie mistake. By betting like a sharp bettor right out of the gate, rather than placing a more typical regular bet, I attracted unwanted attention.
8. Avoid max betting on Boosts
Consistency is crucial if you want to avoid account restrictions. For instance, if you usually bet £10-£15 on your regular selections but suddenly place a £200 bet on a boosted price to exploit arbitrage, it’s likely to raise red flags. Bookmakers may see this behaviour as sharp betting rather than recreational, which can lead to your account being flagged and limited.
9. Use your phone
Most regular/fun bettors are using their phones to place bets. If you want to look like a recreational gambler then using your phone is a good way to give that impression.
10. Bet in-play
In-play bets are often a favourite of bookmakers due to the fact that regualr punters love to place emotionally charged low-value bets during a game.
11. Stake consistently
When it comes to your staking with a bookmaker you should not be hammering high-value bets with very large stakes if you are usually only placing very small £1 to £2 bets. Try to make your betting patterns more consistent in order not to raise any early red flags.
12. Mix up your betting markets
Recreational (losing) bettors will often try out different strategies when things are not working. When opening an account it can be useful to place a few acca bets on the football market and then the next week use the horse racing markets instead. This is a good way to look like mug punter early on.
13. Don’t withdraw too often
Bookmakers will incur fee’s when you make a deposit or withdrawal. If you are constantly withdrawing those fee’s can add up and this could lead to a bookmaker taking a closer look at your account.
14. Avoid betting minimum amount to trigger offer
When it comes to free bet promotions like “Bet £5, get £5 in free bets,” meeting the minimum requirement is often enough to claim the reward. However, there can be long-term advantages to betting slightly more, such as placing a £10 bet instead of just £5.
By doubling your stake this makes it appear much more like a natural betting pattern.
15. Bet popular markets
Last on the list but very simple, is to bet on the most popular competitions. This means the Premier League fixturtes for football, big horse racing markets on a Saturday, the NBA for basketball. This is where the majority of “fun” bettors are placing their money. If you want to keep receiving free bet promotions sticking to these markets is a good idea.
Final Thoughts:
Avoiding account restrictions, or being “gubbed,” requires strategic thinking and careful behaviour to blend in with recreational bettors. Focus on betting on popular markets, such as the Premier League or big horse racing events, and maintain consistent staking patterns to avoid raising red flags. Avoid high-value bets, arbitrage opportunities, and niche markets that can make your activity stand out.
While these tactics can help extend the life of your account, it’s important to remember that restrictions are ultimately a reality for profitable bettors. The goal is to maximize your account’s longevity and extract as much value as possible before that day comes. Stay smart, stay consistent, and enjoy the profit.