Question 1

What is matched betting?

Accepted Answer

Matched betting is a technique that uses free bets and bonuses offered by bookmakers to guarantee a profit, regardless of the outcome of a sporting event. By placing two opposing bets (a "back" bet at a bookmaker and a "lay" bet at a betting exchange), you can eliminate risk and extract value from promotional offers.

Question 2

Is matched betting legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes, matched betting is completely legal in the UK. It is simply a mathematical strategy to maximize value from bookmaker promotions. The industry is aware of it, and while bookmakers may limit accounts that are too profitable, there are no legal risks involved.

Question 3

How much time does it take?

Accepted Answer

One of the best things about matched betting is its flexibility. You can start with just 15-30 minutes a day to complete simple offers. As you get faster and use tools like our Odds Matcher, you can clear welcome offers very quickly. Many users do it alongside their full-time jobs.

Question 4

How much can I earn with matched betting?

Accepted Answer

Most beginners can expect to earn £500-£1,000 in their first month from welcome offers alone. Experienced matched bettors who complete reload offers regularly can earn £300-£500+ per month. Your earnings depend on the time you dedicate and the offers available. These are estimates. Results vary and are not guaranteed.

Question 5

How many bookmaker accounts do I need?

Accepted Answer

You don't need them all at once! We recommend starting with 2-3 major bookmakers (like Bet365 or William Hill) and one betting exchange (like Betfair or Smarkets). You can open more accounts gradually as you work through the welcome offers.

Question 6

Do I need to know about sports to do matched betting?

Accepted Answer

No! Matched betting is purely mathematical – you don't need any knowledge of sports or gambling. Our calculators do all the maths for you. You just need to follow the step-by-step instructions.

Question 7

What is a betting exchange?

Accepted Answer

A betting exchange (like Betfair or Smarkets) is a platform where you bet against other users rather than against a bookmaker. This allows you to "lay" bets – betting that something WON'T happen – which is essential for matched betting. The exchange takes a small commission (usually 2-5%) on winning bets.

Question 8

What is the Odds Matcher?

Accepted Answer

The Odds Matcher automatically finds the best matches between bookmaker odds and exchange odds. It saves you hours of manual searching and helps you find the most profitable opportunities with the lowest qualifying losses.

Question 9

How do I use the betting calculator?

Accepted Answer

Our calculator tells you exactly how much to stake on each bet. Simply enter the back odds from the bookmaker, the lay odds from the exchange, and your stake amount. The calculator will show you the lay stake needed and your expected profit or qualifying loss.

Question 10

What is the Dutching Calculator for?

Accepted Answer

The Dutching Calculator helps you spread your stake across multiple selections to guarantee the same profit no matter which one wins. It's useful for certain promotional offers and arbing opportunities.

Question 11

Can I track my profits with Valyoo?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Our Profit Tracker lets you log all your bets and see your total profit over time. You can filter by date, bookmaker, or bet type, and export your data for your records.

Question 12

What do I get on the free tier?

Accepted Answer

Every new account starts on a free tier automatically — no card required. You get access to one bookmaker offer end-to-end, the basic matched-betting calculator, every learning guide, and the profit tracker. It's enough to walk through your first real offer and see the technique work before deciding to upgrade.

Question 13

What additional features does Premium include?

Accepted Answer

Premium members get unlimited access to all offers, the Odds Matcher, advanced calculators (Dutching, Each Way, Accumulator), unlimited profit tracking, and priority support. You also get early access to new features.

Question 14

What payment methods do you accept?

Accepted Answer

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex). All payments are processed securely via Stripe, a Level 1 PCI Service Provider. We do not store your card details, and your transaction is protected by bank-level security encryption.

Question 15

Can I cancel my subscription anytime?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can cancel your subscription at any time. You'll continue to have access until the end of your billing period. No questions asked.

Question 16

Is there a refund policy?

Accepted Answer

As matched betting provides genuine value from day one, we don't offer refunds after the 14-day cooling-off period required by UK Consumer Rights Act 2015. The free tier lets you walk through a real offer before committing, so you know the platform works for you before you pay.

Question 17

Is my money safe?

Accepted Answer

Your money is as safe as it is with any regulated bookmaker or exchange. We never hold your funds – all bets are placed directly with licensed gambling companies. We recommend only using regulated bookmakers.

Question 18

What happens if I make a mistake?

Accepted Answer

Mistakes can happen, but they're usually small and recoverable. The most common mistake is entering wrong odds in the calculator. We recommend always double-checking your bets before placing them, and starting with small stakes while learning.

Question 19

Will bookmakers close my account?

Accepted Answer

Bookmakers may limit or close accounts of customers who are consistently profitable. This is called being "gubbed." It's frustrating but not the end – you can still complete many offers, and there are always new bookmakers joining the market.

Question 20

Is my personal data safe with Valyoo?

Accepted Answer

Your data is stored securely with industry-standard encryption and only you can access your betting records. We don't sell your data or share it for marketing. We do use a small number of trusted third-party processors to run the service: Firebase/Google Cloud (hosting and database), Stripe (payments), Sentry (error monitoring), and Google Analytics (usage analytics), each bound by GDPR-compliant processor agreements. Full details, including your rights and how to opt out of analytics, are in our Privacy Policy.

Question 21

What if I have a gambling problem, or I'm worried about someone who does?

Accepted Answer

Matched betting is only for adults aged 18 or over. If gambling stops being fun, if you're chasing losses, betting more than you can afford, or it's affecting your relationships, work, or mental health, please stop and reach out. Free confidential help is available. BeGambleAware offers information and a 24/7 National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (begambleaware.org). GamCare provides free counselling and support (gamcare.org.uk). GAMSTOP lets you self-exclude from all UK-licensed gambling sites for 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years at a time (gamstop.co.uk). If you've self-excluded via GAMSTOP, Valyoo is not the right service for you. Please cancel your subscription and focus on recovery first.

Matched Betting FAQ