*Human error can result in losses. Make sure you fully understand how matched betting works before trying this strategy out
Summary
My guest today is Nico who managed to create an online income stream through a technique called matched betting.
But don’t let the name fool you! Matched betting is not gambling but it takes advantage of the big signup bonuses amongst other things that the betting agencies used to lure people in.
The closest thing I can compare it to is signing up for credit card point to use on flights but matched betting is a lot more lucrative and easier IMO.
Nico runs Bonus Bank which is a website that helps Aussies with matched betting by finding the best opportunities out there. Make sure you stick around for the second half of the pod as Nico’s story about what life matched betting has enabled him to live is pretty cool and well worth a listen.
Some of the topics we cover today include:
- What is matched betting and how it works
- How Nico can make $300 tax-free dollars in 30 minutes
- Geoarbitrage with matched betting
- What is Bonus Bank and how they can help
- Infamous Betfair signup bonus story about winning a couple of grand in one night
- How Nico managed to replace the majority of his income through matched betting
So let’s jump into the world of matched betting.
Show Notes
- Bonus Bank (affiliate link)
- Free membership signup if you just want to try it out
- Matched Betting FAQs
- The 4 Hour Work Week (Book)
If you do decide to sign up for a paid membership, the guys at Bonus Bank sorted out an exclusive deal only for Aussie Firebug Members where you will get 50% off your first premium monthly subscription if you use the coupon code FIREBUG*
this code has changed to a 3-day free trial instead (as mentioned in the podcast)The FIREBUG code has changed (from the start of Febuary 2020) and will now get you 25% off the first month of a Premium Monthly subscription
*Full disclosure. If you use this code, I will receive a commission through an affiliate program. Thank you in advance for helping me run and maintain this site 🙂
Update: The laws are apparently changing at the end of May 2019 and the Consumer Framework for Online Gambling has made a recommendation to remove of signup bonuses along with various steps to try and deal with problem gambling in Australia. We don’t know what this means exactly as I personally received the bonus even though I was registered in Victoria which was already a state that wasn’t meant to have them. From what I’m reading, if you signup and email them asking for the bonus, more often then not they are allowed to give it to you because it’s technically not a signup bonus but an incentive for an already established member. We will see how this plays out in the coming weeks.
Matched betting. Hmm. Brings to mind the good old days.. When I was in the UK, I made like 3000GBP from matched betting in one year…
Too bad NSW is basically the worst state for matched betting in Australia, I’ve essentially had my wings clipped 😔
While you’re in the uk, check out profitaccumulator.co.uk .. Its the best website for matched betting over there.. Literally idiot-proof..
As a keen gambler for nearly 30 years, when I discovered matched betting it was like that moment in the Matrix where Neo realises he can do kung fu. Numbers on screens started to mean something and I got heavily into it, making around $100k my first year including $6k on one Saturday afternoon… essentially risk free.
I do this as my side hustle now and make roughly $25k per year. It’s a gold mine that seemingly never runs dry!
damn. I cant imagine what the size of your bank has to be to manage such an impressive return.. And how do you not get flagged by the bookies when you are backing weird and improbable stuff with such big amounts? I got limited on a number of bookies for far less..
It was fun, I had a cushy job at the time and I was like a kid in a candy store. I got my mates on board and matched their bets for them and took a cut. You had to be crafty with IP addresses and the devices you used, and in the end I got tired of it.
In the halcyon days there were bookies offering $1000 sign up bonuses, and at least three others offering $700. I remember going through them all and getting nearly $10k in sign up bonuses alone. If you lost big bets with some of them, they’d throw other bonus offers at you to get you to come back. It was capital L lucrative.
There is less competition among corporate bookies now (Beteasy bought out a bunch, and so did William Hill before them) so it’s way easier to get flagged and busted. I think I lasted three bets with Pointsbet before they banned me. And some, like Ladbrokes, deliberately put odds up that the Bonusbank bots will find and ban you when you bet on those markets.
Some places, though, must have successful business models so it doesn’t matter how much you win or lose, you’re a valued customer by virtue of turnover alone.
I could probably write a book on this stuff… it’s the closest thing I know to financial alchemy, the proverbial lump of lead to gold. Matched betting was my gateway to FIRE so I’ll be forever grateful.
Hi Chris, I just wanted to say I loved reading your comment. I wanted to ask – what are your thoughts on the upcoming legislation on the 26th of May. Also, were those subsantial profits primarily from ‘conventional’ matched betting (just taking promo value and laying it off on Bfair accordingly)? I’d love to know what you’re doing now, as you said Matched Betting was a gateway for you. I’m a young uni student who has relied on the income of matched betting, and am transitioning into a day-trader, so this potential ban for MB comes at a huge concern to me. Anyway, best wishes to you Chris, hope you have a great week.
Not sure what legislation changes you’re referring to…? Have they banned / reduced deposit bonuses? That’s one thing I’ve heard.
Happy to teach you everything I know. I’ve recently got back into this and I’m making around $200 per day now on lunch breaks and quiet times at home. There are tricks to it, but post your email address and I’ll send you details if you like?
Hi Chris
May I ask you to share some of your wisdom related to matched betting as well.
My address is
kitaikutuzov at gmail dot com
Thank you!
Hi Chirs, I am really impressed by what you’ve made through match betting. would you be kind to share your wisdom with me as well? My email is xjyoyo@hotmail dot com. Many thanks.
Hi Chris
I’m also interested in what you wrote and would appreciate any tip, trips,help you could offer.
pc857 at outlook dot com
Thank you
Hey Chris I would love to learn from you and your experiences with matched betting. My email is [email protected]. Much appreciated.
Hi Chris pls send me details about matched betting
It’s me again mate! I’m still matched betting & trading. Would especially be grateful to swing you an email or two RE ‘scaling’ in matched betting. Thanks for the reply those months back mate!
michael.bball@hotmail dot com swing me an email saying hi if you get a spare minute & want to talk matched B.
Cheers Chris
Hi Chris, i have just been reading the thread above as I’ve been thinking of match betting to give my family a little more income.
Are you still match betting and is it sustainable?
Hi all, thanks for commenting.
I still do matched betting but I’ve been doing it for such a long time my accounts have all pretty much been gubbed. I’ve got two left, and surprisingly that’s enough for me to make around $1k per week with only a few minutes’ work each day.
Very happy to pass on what I know. I’ve emailed a few of you (i.e. those who’ve left email addresses) but if anyone else wants some info please leave your address and I’ll drop you a line.
Hi Chris
Could you please share your info with me.
My email is [email protected]
Hi Chris,
please send email to bpknott at bigpond dot com
Thanks
Hey mate would love and appreciate some info you wouldnt mind passing on
hiddenmonkey356 @ gmail dot com
Hi Chris, a little late to the party but only just getting into it but would you be able to send any tips to nbcoop2 @ ho tmai l.com especially since a lot of the companies aren’t allow to offer the same sign up bonuses as they used to.
Thanks
Hey Chris, those are some impressive numbers, I’d love to learn anything you have to offer on the subject! Email me at:
beast.titan75@gmail dot com
Thanks, Bob
Hi Chris, I was just reading your posts and the amount you’re earning from matched betting seems pretty incredible. I would especially like to know how you’re able to earn around $200 per day on lunch breaks, if you could provide me with any advice in this regard it would be much appreciated.
My email is johnsmith1000@hotmail dot com.
Thanks
Hey everyone, I post everything I know at Bonusbank now… join up there and you’ll learn it all!
Hi chris, sorry for bothering you , do you think you would be able to email me also at jrtlewis _ 22 @ protonmail dot com
Hi Chris. Probably a bit late for this but I would love for you to share some information that you have learned over the years about matched betting with me. you can email me at
ross dot skipworth at outlook dot com
Hi Chris,
I am really impressed from your comment and i myself am just starting to get into this. Would love to hear your advice and tips if you wouldn’t mind of course!
My email is elmario92 at hotmail dot com
Thank you!
Email sent champ!
Hey Chris mate, been researching matched betting the past few days and stumbled upon this page and saw you comment recently! I’d love to get some good advice on how to get started with matched betting (ie – how much money to put into it, which premium services to use etc..) Thanks very much, my email is [email protected]
Hi Chris
Could you please share your information with me too
[email protected]
Have emailed you both!
In case anyone comes back to check this thread, I’m posting regular advice and comments on the Bonus Bank forum and chat site, so please check in there and you can contact me directly if you have any questions.
Hi Chris have loved reading your insights- could i get the email as well to [email protected]
? Assuming im not late to the party!!
Hi Chris have loved reading your insights- could i get the email as well to [email protected]
? Assuming im not late to the party!!!
NSW is far from the worst state for matched betting (SA holds that title). In fact, bonusbank probably has more members from NSW than any other state (including my business partner, David).
It’s true that bookies are banned from advertising bonuses in NSW, but that doesn’t mean that the bonuses aren’t available. You might have to ask on live chat but, almost every bookie will offer a bonus of some sort to new customers from NSW.
More importantly, with the exception of TabTouch, every bookie in Australia will pay out to NSW on existing customer promos. These promos are worth much more than the signups in the long run, so there is plenty of opportunity to profit while being in NSW.
When are you going to start distributing how to vote cards? Greedy Fire Bug.
Pearl this guys busts his ass to write great content all of the time. Hours and hours of work. Website hosting, email hosting costs etc etc. All delivered to us for free. But you are calling him greedy for offering a few little promos that have some cash on the side for him. It really seems you’re the greedy one looking and listening to all of his stuff for free whilst providing negative feedback when he tries to make a buck. Get off your high horse.
Signed up for the premium subscription using the 50% FIREBUG discount code.
Looks interesting. Hopefully this will be a nice little bit of tax free income on the side.
Haters ganna hate 😁
Ok, so i’ve taken a look at this after I listened to the podcast. I’m keen to give it a go but I live in SA. Is it even worth bothering?
Karen, I’ve been doing this in SA for a few years. It’s harder but still can be profitable. Just check with bookies for signup bonuses first before depositing. Also, some bookies will say they don’t pay out in SA but still do.
I found this to be the case too Alan.
I signed up from Victoria where they are not allowed to give the bonus…but if you just email them after and say something like ‘Hey I thought there was a signup bonus’ they usually just give it to you.
I think it’s because they are allowed to give bonuses to existing members maybe… a bit of a loophole but I read about it on the forums and it worked exactly as advertised.
If you’re lucky enough to be a profitable customer for the corporates, they will continue to throw incentives whenever you ask for them and you’ll reach a point where you’ll wonder why everyone doesn’t do it and just stop working.
Relationships with bookies can be mutually beneficial and when they are, they’re generally very financially beneficial as well.
Just a question I haven’t seen asked yet … any concern with all these sleazy betting companies having access to your personal details? i.e. you sign up to a bunch of accounts, so naturally you’re giving out your identity willy nilly.
Not sure about this, but I would think the bigger Aussie operators are screwed down pretty tightly about who and how they share those details. I’ve signed up with some pretty dodgy operators in the past though, both here and overseas and to this day I get about 5 texts a week asking me to join such-and-such online casino. The price of participating, I guess.
Thought it was an interesting match betting podcast and you went about it fine. That is, emphasising the risk free bets you can make, and in not making the big hard sell towards your guest’s membership services like you could have.
You would have heaps of blog views so you could easily make a heap more money off blogging by pushing your readers to products you don’t’ respect, but you don’t do that.
I’ve also had almost 10 years of consistent SMALL profits betting almost ONLY on special offers from bookmakers. I usually can’t be bothered matching but its another sign there is some profit there.
Thanks Steve,
I’m glad you found it interesting. Yeah I read a lot of stories from people who have been doing this consistently for years and turned a decent profit to subsidise their lifestyle. Pretty cool thing to know about if you ask me.
Has the ‘FIREBUG’ 50% off the first month promo closed? I can’t seem to find a promo section on the sign up section that allows me to enter this.
There should be some green text which says ‘Have a coupon?’. If you click on that you will be able to enter the code. However, the 50% deal was only available for the first two months after the release of the podcast. You will now get a 3-day free trial instead.
HI Nick,
Funnily enough I signed up for your free membership several months ago. But emailed your company for help as I’m in SA.
At that time I was told that I’m unable to match bet from Adelaide.
However this podcast suggests to me that It can be done (it appears to me that you’re placing bets internationally)
Could you offer any further help or links please, I’m very interested in this.
Thanks in advance
*** Sorry “Nico” ***
Hi Paul,
For a long time now, SA has had the strictest gambling laws in the country. This made it extremely difficult to get signup/welcome bonuses.
Many existing customer promos also exclude SA.
Interestingly though, the new legislation may have made it a little easier for people on SA.
Now that bookies can no longer advertise bonuses in any state, the playing field has been levelled a little.
I don’t have any concrete evidence but, anecdotally, it seems like our members in SA are doing better than they used to.
It is still the state where you will have most difficulty, but the gap between it and other states may have closed a little.
Hi Nico,
Thanks for the reply. So I may not get the sign up cash, but I am able to match bet?
Do you have any help/info articles on you site to help people in SA.
Thanks again.
You should be able to get a welcome bonus from some bookies, but not all.
You will also be able to get other types of bonus from some bookies.
It is definitely possible to make money, but your returns will be smaller than in other states.
We have threads for each state in our forum. This is the best place to get info on what is available, as it is coming from other people who are actually in the state and making money.
Hi Chris
Could you please share your info with me.
My email is