Anyone have much experience with this?
Gambling doesn't appeal to me at all, but from what I can work out matched betting isn't really gambling at all. As long as you don't get sucked in of course.
I'd never even heard about it until recently. It sounds like you can make a lot of money if you're willing to put time in. To be perfectly honest? I'm not looking to put the time in. I just heard it could be good for an extra hundred quid or so, anything to help out a little with the bills.
You missed the boat about 10 years ago when Bookies weren't overly wise to it. You could make the most of all their offers, sign up multiple accounts with each and make a really good earning from it. They also had more offers back then.
Now, as soon as you show any sign of abusing their offers e.g. only betting with them via a promo, they will restrict your account immediately and/or ban you. Apparently they also have software in place that can tell if you're using their sites at the same time as an exchange or an odds comparison site to help identify those that are matched betting.
You can still make a fair bit from it initially using their sign up bonuses, say £1,000-£2,000 or so. But back in the day you could make around that much every month using reload bonuses, odds boosts and other regular promos. Big events like the World Cup and Wimbledon, or Cheltenham, were an absolute gold mine. No chance of that now.
Also be wary of the less-established bookies that also tend to be the ones with the biggest bonuses. They'll have dodgier T & C's, are difficult to contact if you have an issue and could go bust at any point without paying you out.
