If you’ve been matched betting for any length of time, chances are you’ve faced the inevitable curse: gubbing. It’s the matched bettor’s equivalent of a death sentence from a bookmaker; your account is restricted, promos vanish, odds are slashed, and you’re left wondering, “Now what?” Copy HTML Copy text
But before you hang up your spreadsheets and retire your betting calculators, take a breath. Gubbing season doesn’t mean game over. It means evolution.
In this guide, we’ll break down what gubbing actually is, why it happens, and most importantly, how to keep profiting through creative, low-risk (or even risk-free) matched betting strategies even when the promo taps run dry.
What Is Gubbing?
Gubbing refers to the restriction of a bookmaker account, particularly its eligibility for promotions. It usually means:
- You can no longer access free bet offers or price boosts.
- Odds might be skewed specifically for your account.
- You may be limited in stake size or even excluded from markets.
It’s the bookmaker’s way of saying, “We know you’re here for value, not fun. And we don’t like it.”
Gubbings often happen after you:
- Repeatedly exploit sign-up or reload offers.
- Rarely bet on long shots or mug bets.
- Avoid accumulators, bet clubs, or casino products.
But gubbing doesn’t mean you’re done. It just means it’s time to get smarter.
Reload Offers Still Exist – Even for Gubbed Accounts
Many assume that reloads (repeat promos like “Bet £10, Get £5”) are locked away once gubbed. But it’s not always true.
Examples of Viable Reload Offers:
- Sky Bet Club – Even gubbed users often still qualify if they meet weekly wagering requirements.
- Bet365 4/1 Offer – Available based on activity, not promo access. If your account is active and profitable for them, you might still receive it.
- William Hill Scratch of the Day – Usually offered daily regardless of your account status.
Tip: Keep betting like a recreational user. Diversify markets, place accumulators, and throw in some small-stakes casino play to stay on the reload radar.
Casino Offers: Not All Are High Risk
Casino might seem like a world away from matched betting, but when approached smartly, it can provide low-risk opportunities—even for gubbed bettors.
Look for These Types of Offers:
- Wager £10, Get £5 Casino Bonus: When wagering requirements are low (10x or under), and games like blackjack or low-volatility slots are allowed, these can become +EV.
- No Wager Free Spins: True gold dust. The winnings are usually withdrawable and the value calculable.
- Loss Back Offers: “Stake £50, get 10% back” deals reduce downside—great for lower variance games.
Pro Tip: Use tools like EV calculators or strategy guides from casino value communities to ensure you’re not blindly gambling.
Extra Places: The Gub-Proof Strategy
Extra places are a goldmine for experienced matched bettors, and they don’t require access to promos.
Here’s how it works:
- Bookies often pay extra places on big racing events (e.g., 5 places instead of 4).
- You back a horse each-way with the bookie.
- You lay the win and place parts on the exchange, as if it’s a normal EW bet.
- If your horse finishes in the extra place (e.g., 5th), the bookie pays the place, but you win the lay.
- Why It Works Post-Gubbing: These markets are part of standard offerings, not tied to your promo eligibility.
- Risk: These are not always “risk-free” but are statistically profitable when done at scale using filtered value selections.
- Tools That Help: Use an Extra Place Matcher and filters (e.g., Betfair place market pricing, each-way arbs, low overrounds) to identify strong opportunities.
Bet Clubs & Loyalty Schemes
Many bookmaker bet clubs are automated, meaning you can qualify without being eligible for other promotions.
Examples:
- Paddy Power Rewards Club – Bet £5×5 weekly to get a £10 free bet. Often still available after gubbing.
- Ladbrokes/The Grid – Offers free bet clubs via retail branches too.
- Unibet Free Bet Club – Weekly opt-in formats where eligibility doesn’t always vanish post-gubbing.
These loyalty schemes are designed to reward activity, not necessarily promo chasing, making them resilient even on a restricted account.
Other Gub-Proof, Non-Risk Strategies
Even if you’re locked out of most promos, a few sharp betting methods remain effective.
1. Arbitrage Betting
- While dangerous for fresh accounts (arbing can lead to gubbing), once you’re already restricted, there’s little left to lose.
- Look for arbs with other gubbed accounts or between exchanges and lesser-known bookies.
2. Dutching Multiple Bookmakers
- Bet on all outcomes across gubbed accounts offering varying odds.
- Similar to arbing, but spreads the bets to stay under the radar (if you still have a few unrestricted accounts).
3. 2Up Opportunities (e.g., Bet365)
- Though gubbed accounts may lose access, many partial restrictions still allow you to participate.
- If not, partner with friends who have healthy accounts, and apply the strategy via them.
Closing Thoughts
Gubbing season may sting, but it doesn’t have to end your matched betting journey. If anything, it filters out the field, leaving room for strategic, sustainable value-hunters to thrive.
By leaning into:
- Loyalty-based offers,
- Smart casino promotions,
- Extra place races, and
- Arbing or dutching methods,
You can continue building profit, perhaps with even greater consistency than during the chaotic early sign-up phases.
So sharpen your odds eye, fire up your spreadsheets, and embrace the gub. You’re not out of the game, you’ve just levelled up.
Bonus Resource Tip: Track your success across these Gub-proof strategies with a Profit Tracker. Monitoring outcomes helps validate value over time and keeps your bankroll in good shape, even in the gubbing wilderness.
