Have you ever placed a few winning bets, only to find your account suddenly restricted? Or maybe your maximum bet size was slashed without warning? If so, you’ve encountered the secret algorithms sportsbooks use to protect their profits.
These algorithms track every move you make… how much you bet, what you bet on, and even how often you win, and if they decide you’re too good, they’ll limit your bets or ban you outright. Here’s how it works before you get started on 22Bet.
Why Sportsbooks Limit or Ban Players
Sportsbooks aren’t charities and exist to make money, and they do this by ensuring the odds are always in their favour, but when a person consistently wins, they become a threat.
1. The Sharp Bettor Problem
“Sharp” bettors are professional gamblers who beat the books with skill, not luck, by analyzing stats, spotting weak lines, and placing well-calculated bets. Since sportsbooks hate losing money, they quickly identify and restrict these players.
2. The Value Betting Dilemma
Value bettors look for mispriced odds, situations where the sportsbook’s line is wrong, and if you repeatedly exploit these mistakes, the algorithm flags you as a risk.
3. Arbitrage Betting Risks
Arbitrage bettors place opposing bets on different sites to guarantee a profit, and host sites hate this because it’s a surefire way to lose money. Their algorithms scan for such patterns and ban users who do it too often.
How the Algorithm Works
Sportsbooks use complex tracking systems to monitor behaviour. Here’s what they look for:
Patterns That Trigger Alerts
- High Win Rates – If you win more than expected, you’ll get flagged.
- Large Bets on Underdogs – Big wagers on unlikely outcomes raise suspicions.
- Timing – Placing bets right before odds change suggests inside knowledge.
Player Profiling
Sportsbooks categorize participants into groups:
- Recreational Visitors (favoured) – Lose often, play for fun.
- Winners (monitored) – Win just enough to stay under the radar.
- Sharp Gamblers (banned/limited) – Win too much, too often.
Once you’re labelled a “sharp,” your account is marked for restrictions.
How to Avoid Getting Limited or Banned
If you’re a winning bettor, staying under the radar is key. Here’s how:
1. Bet Like a Recreational Player
- Mix in small, fun bets with your serious wagers.
- Avoid always wagering on obscure leagues where sharp action stands out.
2. Spread Your Bets Across Multiple Books
Using just one sportsbook makes you an easy target, so the more accounts you have, the harder it is for any single book to restrict you.
3. Avoid Obvious Arbitrage or Value Betting
If a line looks too good to be true, tread carefully. Betting on every obvious mistake will get you banned fast.
4. Withdraw Winnings Slowly
Sportsbooks track cashouts. If you win big and withdraw immediately, they’ll see you as a threat.
What to Do If You Get Restricted
If a sportsbook limits or bans you, don’t panic. Here are your options:
- Open accounts with other books – Many sites don’t share data.
- Use betting exchanges – Sites like Betfair don’t ban winners.
- Try anonymity– Some crypto sportsbooks don’t track users.