List of Sharp Sportsbooks for Professional Punters

16/06/2020

Estimated Reading Time: 31 minutes

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List of Sharp Betting Sites

We categorize the best online bookies into;

• Sharp Sportsbook;
  • • No Restriction Policy Declared
    • Restriction Right Reserved but Hardly Heard Actual Restriction
• Betting Exchanges
  (Complete Different Business Model doesn’t need Account Restriction) 
• Bet Brokers

We have built this list based on our own research especially for 1) category as well as many input from our members & colleagues.

1) Sharp Sportsbooks List

The sportsbook in this category usually take a reduced margin pricing model which allows them to cater professionals.    

A. No Restriction Policy Declared

Pinnacle (Netherlands Antilles)

Started 1998 / Welcome educated professional. / Encourage arb trading. / Famous for low juice operator (but no bonus) in the industry means the most competitive price (odds) offer to achieve high volume with low margin business model. / Probably the highest wagering limit in the industry. / See this page where you find “Welcome Professional" policies / Must Have for all sharps. / Check if your country can access to Pinnacle here, and if not, use our solutions.

Bookmaker EU(Costa Rica)

Since ‘85, BetCris’s (Costa Rica International Sports, see the next one) flagship / officially declares “cater to professional & recreational gambler alike”, the manager I spoke said “We never fear professional” / all line starts here, but they may restrict on promotional activities if they find you as a matched better (but actually never heard any gubbing incident) / bitcoin accepted / For US players, this is Must have. / Restricted Countries: France & Costa Rica / Bookmaker EU is chosen as one of the suggested bookmakers for this betting system which is said to be most successful sports investment tool.

BetCris (Costa Rica)

Started ’85 / parent company of Bookmaker eu & Bet DSI / American sportsbook established stronghold in Spanish speaking areas (the site navigated from the above links will be shown in Spanish but you can switch to English at the top middle box) / guarantees that it would never boot out a winning customer nor limited the amount they can bet / its slogan is “Where the line originates" exactly the same as Bookmaker eu, so very competitive odds / good for serious punters

SBO Bet (Philippines / Isle Of Man)

SBO Comment Founded in 2004 / said to be the punter’s dream same as Pinnacles mainly because high stake limit with very competitive odds especially for Asian Handicapping and allows arbitrage (bet one side only per match) / lack of offers, so not for matched betting. They restrict many countries, so try access, and if you’re blocked, then consider bet broker.

Dafabet (Asian-Philippines)

Dafabet Comment Started in ‘04 / one of 3 Asian best / provide competitive odds with low vig (reduced juice) / As seen from their response e-mail later, they claim they don’t restrict the account but they may restrict promotion participation when you do arbing. 

B. Restriction Right Reserved or Claimed but Hardly Heard Strict Restriction

5Dimes (Costa Rica)

5Dimes Comment Since ‘96 / is run by one of the sharpest bookmakers the industry has ever known / welcome large players / low juice up to 102 / many bookmaker review sites rank 5Dimes within top 3 constantly / probably the most extensive sports market coverage & wager type offered in the industry – you will find any sports event market all over the world / beware their restriction policy on price trader seems to be tighter lately / Restricted Countries: UK, France, Portugal, Hungary, Ukraine & Costa Rica / Use 5Dimes for this system to double your bank in 3 months. 

Betonline (Panama)

Since ‘91 / fast growing in US / excellent promotion especially permanent Re-Load offers called lifetime bonus / their business principle is 1st priority Service over Sales / relatively high wagering limit – worth noting that they allow re-bet on the same game means which effectively allows you to circumvent limits / With BetOnline, use this approach for US citizens to make decent profits from risk-free matched betting / Restricted Countries: Australia, France, Malta, Panama

Bodog (Antigua & Barbuda)

Comment Since ‘94/ Used to be the world most famous Casino / Sportsbook site, now focus on Canadian Market / they think much of user friendly system – simple & easy interface / Restricted Countries: USA & UK and many other countries, so click this link and if you’re not geo-blocked you may possibly be accepted. 

Bovada (Quebec Canada)

Bovada Comment Since ’11 / Bodog’s US market arm specialized for US major sports means essential for US Players – in fact, Bovada seems to be the most popular offshore bookmaker among US players. 

Sports Interaction (Canada)

Sports Interaction Comment Registered in Kahnawake Quebec in ‘97 / Ranked No.1 by Canadians and famous for its excellent mobile platform / Must Have for Canadian Punters

Sports Betting (Panama) 

Sports Betting Comment Belongs to Bet Online Group /available various proposition bets & the exotic betting options BetOnline provides / Accept Players from All Countries In The World / bonus for life / speedy cash-out / So as Betonline, use this approach for US citizens to make decent profits from risk-free matched betting.

Sportbet (Costa Rica)

Sportbet Comment Belongs to 5Dimes Group / the same rule as 5Dimes applied / low juice 107

 

Better Safe Than Sorry

The 2nd group of Sharp Sportsbook of “Restriction Right Reserved & Claimed but Hardly Heard Actual Restriction” are the ones many traders were to confirm that they had not been restricted at all. Therefore, suggest you go through the following 2 guides – One is Before Restriction, The Other One is After Restriction;

 

Betting Exchanges

Betting exchanges are not market makers means they are not the ones who pay to winners. Instead, your betting counterparts are the ones who pay to you when you win. They just take a straight commission off your winnings. So they want you to place as many bets as they can to get from your betting trades.

Therefore, they will never ‘limit’ you, because the bet limits are set by the other users who offer the bets. This is true of all betting exchanges. See Ultimate Guide for full details of Betting Exchanges. 

Betfair Exchange (UK) 

Currently the dominant force within the betting exchange market after starting back in June 2000. They charge commission between 2 – 8 % of your net winnings (depending on the country). Betfair offers the widest range of market and has the biggest liquidity which is the key factor for a betting exchange. Beware Betfair offers both Exchange & Sportsbook function, and the one that never restricts you is Betfair Exchange and Sportsbook may gub you quickly.

Don’t worry, even after your Sportsbook side is gubbed, you can still keep using the exchange. Betfair were merged with Paddy Power. Therefore if you do matched betting, don’t register the same e-mail account between these 2 and don’t lay Betfair when you back Paddy Power. It’s cautionary actions to avoid being gubbed by Paddy Power. Because Paddy Power is great place to do matched betting but also famous for quick restriction.

Betfair was ranked No. 1 top betting exchange in 2020 SBC Awards as shown below;

For further details of SBC Awards, go to SBC Members’ Earning statistics section. 

BTW, you may want to check 4 Betting Exchange Offers where we constantly update their latest offers including Betfair Sports £100 Free Bet which seems to be one of the most attractive sign-up offers. 

SMarkets (UK)

This was founded by American business man located in London & Malta. The biggest advantage is its 2% commission but the market coverage is yet much fewer than Betfair but the liquidity has been greatly improving. Betdaq used to be the biggest contender to Betfair but now, SMarkets & Matchbook seems to have taken over that position.

One of their strategies to increase their liquidity is using Matched Bettors. They partnered with Matched Betting subscription services provider including Oddsmonkey, Profit Accumulator & Profit Maximizer to provide 0% commissions to all the members, which looks working effectively. For the latest partnerships of such offers can be checked in HERE.  The above 4 Betting Exchange Offers guide shows how to monetize their latest offer without risk for all betting exchanges.

Matchbook (UK)

This is another exchange registered in the UK. Note UK Gambling Commission temporarily suspended Matchbook – see the details in 4 Betting Exchange Offers where we keep updating the situation. Matchbook has been gaining favourable reputation in their operating countries, even in the suspended UK, as SBC Award shows it is ranked 2nd after Betfair. Allow me to quote SBC’s comment as follows;

With only 4 contestants, we are only awarding prizes to the top two, with the Gold Award taken by the Betfair Exchange who took 74.05% of the votes. Perhaps not surprising considering their size, so it will be fascinating to see how this market share stacks up over time.
Matchbook were their nearest competitor with 15.56% of your votes and take Silver, whilst Smarkets and Betdaq polled around 10% between them in 3rd and 4th.
It will be intriguing to see how the Exchange market changes in coming years with Betfair now adopting a lower 2%commission model for those that demand it – the same tariff as their 3 main rivals.
Of these rivals, we have already seen how Matchbook continue to lead the way with impressive content – podcasts, articles and free tipsters, whilst Smarkets have been expanding their own remit with new sportsbook app – SBK and innovations of their own.

 

Betdaq (Ireland)

Operated since ‘00, and used to be the contender to Betfair but looks they lost market share to Matchbook & SMarkets and the reputation has been getting worse after Ladbrokes bought Betdaq for £30 million, which is not surprising – see the Worst Bookmaker list where we elaborate on Ladbrokes story.  Betdaq conducted various promotional offers as well as reducing the commission from 5% to 2% though such efforts don’t seem to lead to any significant business progress. Anyhow, as said, Betdaq was acquired by Ladbrokes, so the same story as Betfair & Paddy Power. Don’t register the same e-mail & do matched betting between these two.

FairLay (Costa Rica)

Fairlay is a bitcoin exclusive betting exchange site, we discuss more details about it in Bitcoin Betting – Ultimate Way. As long as you’re aware of current volatility of cryptocurrencies and make proper risk management, bitcoin betting will pave the way for every punter in the world to enjoy advantage plays.

 

Bet Broker

A bet broker makes a role of a middleman between you and the bookmaker. The bet broker provide you with a single-account combining multiple bookmakers including some of the above sharp sportsbooks, which can give you the best odds available in the market. They don’t restrict any of your account and take a high stake. 

For those who can’t access to the above sharp sportsbooks or betting exchanges, the bet brokers give you the solution. However, you need to take a cautious approach given their small business operation (see the 2 guides after the below list). 

BetinAsia (Curacao)

BetinAsia was founded in 2011 / Licensed in Curacao / Crypto-friendly brokerage / Bookmakers Covered: Pinnacle (PS3838), Singbet, BetISN, SBObet, MAXbet (Former IBC Bet) and 18bet / Betting Exchange Covered (commission): Betfair (3% on winning), Betdaq (1.5% on winning), Matchbook (1.25 on both winning & losing), Turf7 (1.25% on winning) & Citibet / Betfair Alternatives Covered: Orbit Exchange / Restricted countries: US, UK, Sweden & France / Welcome Offer – 25% Deposit Bonus (need promotion code) – see T&C

Sportsmarket (IOM UK)

Sportmarket was founded in 2004 / Licensed in Isle Of Man (IOM) / Bookmakers Covered (commission) : Pinnacle, ISN, IBC, SBO, Singbet, 18bet, Redzone (1%) & 3et (0.5%) / Betting Exchange Covered (commission): Betfair (2.3%), Matchbook (1.8%), Betdaq (1.2%) & SPM (1%) / Restricted countries: USA / UK / France / Spain / Portugal / Serbia

Asianconnect (Curacao)

Asianconnect88 is one of the oldest bet brokers, established in 2002 / Licensed in Curacao / Bookmakers Covered: Pinnacle, SBOBet, MaxBet (Former IBC Bet), Bet ISN & Sing Bet / Betting Exchange Covered (commission): Betfair (3% on winning), Betdaq (1.5% on winning), Matchbook (1.25 on both winning & losing), Turf7 (1.25% on winning) & Citibet / Betfair Alternatives Covered: Orbit Exchange / Restricted countries: US, UK, Sweden & France / Welcome Offer – 20% Deposit Bonus (need promotion code) – see T&C

Bet-Football (Montenegro)

BET-Football is licensed & operated in Montenegro / Bookmakers Covered: SBO, Pinbet88, ISN, Maxbet, GA, Sing, 1bet, 18bet and 3ET / Betting Exchange Covered: Matchbook  – 1.25% when Backing a selection and 0.75% when you add liquidity to their exchange / Betfair Alternatives Covered: Orbit Exchange / Restricted countries: UK, France, Turkey & USA

 

Bet Exchange Details

The following 2 documents will provide you with the full explanation of the above bet brokers;

Let me emphasize that you will not face any account restriction when you bet via Bet Broker account (not only their betting exchange account but many sharp bookies accounts they provide, so bet broker is a very good solution for those who can’t access not only to the betting exchanges but also several sharp bookies we list later in this report). 

 

Sharp Sportsbook Explanation

Sharp Punter Friendly List

We have sent an inquiry specifically checking about their Account Restriction Policies to over 100 bookies – see below as the example of the correspondence with DafaBet (Asian Bookmaker):

Inquiry

I understand many bookmakers restrict member’s betting limits down to the amounts that are too small to keep playing such as $1 or 5 cents or even zero etc. They do it for so called Sharp Bettors, namely:

Note: Here, I’m not referring to any case of player’s cheating / fraudulent activities but only legitimate gambling actions resulting in many or constant winnings (I’m sure arbitrage betting is completely legal), so please don’t touch any of your policy related with wrong doing matters.

Appreciate your cordial assistance on this critical matter.

Based on the responds, we sub-categorized this group into:

Bear it in mind that as you imagine some of the answers beat around the bush. Means not clear enough, thus categorized based on our subjective interpretation as well as other sources / feedbacks. Around 50% of the bookies we sent inquiry is neither included in this list nor List of 35 World Worst Betting Sites That Quickly Restrict Your Account because we couldn’t receive any answers at all or extremely vague answers.

Sharp Bookies – Reduced Margin Pricing Model

Broadly speaking, there are 2 types of bookies, which are Soft & Sharp bookies. We can briefly characterize each bookie as;

Majority of the online bookies are soft bookies. The pioneer & the best sharp bookie is Pinnacle that loudly publicize Welcome Professionals. So, let me introduce Pinnacle’s policy & business model, which will help you understand the reason why bookies can still achieve successful results without restriction.

Pinnacle Specific Business Model

The below are snippets of Pinnacle Head of Online Acquisition, Ryan Henderson interview made by bettingexpert.com; Pinnacle was established online in 1998 by entrepreneurs who saw the potential for a new approach to bookmaking – low margin/high volume . They developed the necessary trading models to support this, which remain the backbone of Pinnacle Sports’ business. They said that “Our model works on volume, not customer profiling. We need high volumes of balanced bets to enable us to offer such low margins, and are confident enough in our traders’ abilities to know that so long as volume is high enough, our business is viable. This model means that we seek volume without concern as to whether that comes from winning players or not. So it’s the perfect place for people who don’t want to be limited as explained on our promotions page of “Winners Are Welcome“. There are no circumstances in which a legitimate winning customer will have their action limited including Arbitrage (See Arbitrage Friendly page). Issues only occur if they contravene any of our betting rules.

Learn From Sharp Punters

Winning customers are often the first to bet into a market when the prices are what we might call ‘soft’. They will have their own ideas, from their own proprietary handicapping, about what the odds should be, so if our odds diverge from that, they will dive in. This causes the market to quickly move. A good example of this was after the Champions League semi-final draw, when Bayern Munich began as slight underdogs at home to Barcelona for the 1st leg. Almost instantaneous interest on Munich reversed the situation, and now those early bettors will be congratulating themselves on getting Munich at above the “shaped” market value, and congratulating Jupp Heynckes on a job well done (Munich won 4-0). Sharp players will also be very active close to start of events, when what we call ‘public money’ inflates the favorites’ odds, which sharper players might fade." Pinnacle does not offer any bonuses, which is explained as “Sign-up bonuses incur an inevitable cost to a bookmaker, which many mitigate with complicated and restrictive terms and conditions. We prefer to build what we might spend on sign-up incentives directly into our odds, which is clearer for bettors to see and provides a much greater long-term benefit."

The Best Of Best Online Bookies Full Review

We have made full review on this Excellent Bookmaker, go Pinnacle Sports Exclusive Review – True Voices of Insiders. Whether this is the best business model to survive in this industry is arguable. However, the fact remains that Pinnacle has been very successful so far with Welcoming Professional Punters business model.

 

Betting Exchanges Explanation

Reason Why Betting Exchanges Don’t Restrict Account

 Not Compete With Punter & Earn From Commission

They don’t compete with the customers but just provide the market place where punters with opposing views on the outcome of a sporting event are connected. Means we compete with other punters. Bet exchange makes a role of intermediate and make money from the the commission from each bet. Therefore they don’t need to be bothered by the smart punters but care for betting volume. See the details in All About Betting Exchange.

Must Have For Matched Bettors

Betting exchanges have introduced a new method to gamble online. They cut out the traditional bookmaker by creating a platform for individuals to bet against each other, so called Peer To Peer. In other words, Betting Exchanges allow an individual to become a bookmaker and 'lay’ bets, offering odds on an event happening (much in the same way a bookmaker does). If you want to start Matched Betting, the betting exchange is essential.

Just in case, you can’t access to any betting exchanges in your country use Betfair Alternatives (Betfair White Label).

Lastly, many people imagine matched betting is for only UK & Ireland, wrong, by using this approach, everybody in the world including US citizens can make decent profits from this risk-free betting method.

Very Useful For Sports Arbitrage

The main advantage is that the odds at a betting exchange are on average 10 – 20% better than they would be at a traditional bookmaker. Means, even deducting the commission, their odds could be still better. Actually, using a betting exchange is an integral part of Sports Arbitrage Sure Bet strategy. I’m talking about Backing in the Exchange Not Laying Off in this case. However, you can also make the best use of Lay bet for sports arbitrage. For this particular strategy, see Arbitrage Betting – Use Exchange & Extend Matched Betting Profits.

Value Betting 

Allow me to reiterate, that the back odds at exchange are theoretically (practically almost without exception) higher than conventional bookmakers because;

The bottom-line here is for those who bet on top rated tipsters / system, they may find even better odds at exchange than the tipster’s suggested price of conventional bookmakers.

 

Sharp Sportsbooks List – Wrap Up

Our Betting Principle

Allow us to share a bit about our betting principle. Please Avoid Prejudice of Betting = Gambling. We Do Bet but Don’t Count On Luck. Rather, we do 6 Advantage Plays based on mathematical edge to beat the bookies, casino & bingo.

When it comes to Sports Betting & Horse Racing, we use Matched Betting / Sports Arbitrage / Value Bets On Proven Experts to lock-in profit or consistently earn extra income for long-term. With that said, one of our policies is “Betting On Luck Is For Losers, Stop Gamble Betting But Bet on Only +EV (Expected Value)To Win Reliably.

It is effectively our way to promote Responsible Gambling under the regulation, and we strongly support GamCare & BeGambleAware being explained in about us.

We, Global Extra Money (GEM) would like our readers to exploit those reliable money making opportunities as much & LONG as possible. However, we can’t keep taking value from SOFT / Square bookmakers.

Sharing  this Sharp Sportsbooks List is part of our efforts to achieve that objective.

Advantage Play Progression Tactics

Among 3 sports advantage plays we suggest people take evolving move as a logical and the safest approach for newbies. namely;

Punters From Worldwide including US

Majority of the online bookmakers reject many countries based on their unique restriction policy. However, most of the bookmakers I list here (except betting exchange) limit only a few countries, which enables many global players to pursue our 3 sports advantage plays. We have issued :

In these guides, you will find the specific methods that enable people from almost all countries to make the best use of the lucrative offshore advantage gambling opportunities you may have overlooked. I have to stress that especially the above Bitcoin Betting will pave the way for all US citizens and those who can’t access to online bookmakers to make thousands of extra income risk-free, Very useful, worth your time to check.

In Short, except 8 Countries (Cyprus, Poland, North Korea, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia) where on-line gamble is legally prohibited, all of you can make profit from matched betting, see the above report for full details.

Nasty Bookies List

I separately produced the list of Disreputable Bookies (like Razzie Awards) in the special report of List of 30 Worst Betting Sites That Quickly Restrict Your Accoun. Although we label Worst Betting Sites, this is viewed from Account Restriction. Importantly all the bookmakers we list in this documents are highly reputable companies, but due to their soft bookie business model, they need to eliminate the customers who are long-term threat to their profitability. So, in case you have not exploit them via matched betting or sports arbitrage, suggest you do. Sooner or later you will be gubbed, but I’m sure you will have earned enough cash profits by them. In fact, you can keep beating these bookies even after you are restricted, see how in 30 seconds.

A Few Other Useful Lists You May Not Want to Overlook

You may want to explore the following 4 lists of the best gambling sites which can satisfy each player’s unique needs;

 

If you have any inquiry or need any help from us, please contact us anytime (don’t worry, we will not charge you any fee, everything is free here).

Good Luck!!

Joshua Walker (bio) 

Editor – Global Extra Money (GEM)