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Gubbed meaning – What is gubbing in betting?

Gubbed – It’s an odd term that some of you may not know the meaning of.

In this simple guide we’ll look at what gubbed means, how to avoid being gubbed and what to do if you already have gubbed accounts.

Let’s dive in.

Gubbed meaning

Let’s kick things off with a simple definition of what gubbed means.

Gubbing or gubbed is the term gamblers and matched bettors use to describe when a bookmaker restricts their account in some way, usually by excluding them from promotions and/or free bets.

If you’ve experienced this with any of your accounts you’ll know how gut-wrenching it is when you receive an email saying your account has been gubbed.

Being gubbed can be anything from a maximum stake limit to exclusion from all promotions.

Here’s an example of a Bet365 account that was gubbed:

Gubbed Bet365 account

Certain betting strategies such as matched betting are all about taking advantage of free bets and promotions from as many bookmakers as possible. Therefore it’s vital you keep as many bookie accounts open and unrestricted for as long as possible (more on this later).

However, being gubbed is not isolated to matched betting, it happens across the whole betting industry and in recent years, seems to be happening more often.

But why is that? Let me explain…

New to matched betting? Find out more in this explainer guide for beginners.

Gubbed accounts – Why do bookmakers do it?

There are a number of reasons a bookmaker might intend on gubbing your account. It will usually be down to one or more of the following reasons:

1. Only betting with promotions

The bookies are in business to make money. It’s therefore likely that they’ll restrict accounts that affect their bottom line.

One of the most common reasons your account might be gubbed is by placing bets only when there is a free bet or promotion available.

Bookmakers free bets

Bookies know that matched bettors make money from free bets and bonuses. Therefore they are on the lookout for accounts that show this behaviour.

Matched bettors use the bookies’ money to make a guaranteed profit so you can understand why they’ll want to restrict your account in some way.

Accounts that are continuously winning are therefore a red flag for the bookmakers.

Every betting account is profiled and categorised allowing the bookies to easily isolate the accounts that are damaging their bottom line.

In terms of matched betting, you can’t predict where your bets are going to win. However, you should always aim to win at the betting exchange.

It’s important to note that betting exchanges are less likely to restrict your accounts as they make their money in a different way to traditional bookmakers. They charge a commission on net winnings rather than building a profit margin into the odds.

Check out this article for more information on betting exchanges.

2. Multi-accounting or gnoming

Another reason your accounts may be gubbed is for gnoming or multi-accounting. This is the process where bettors open and run more than one account with the same bookmaker.

Bettors use family or friends’ names in order to trick the bookmakers and open another account.

Whilst I strongly recommend you don’t use this strategy, there are bettors out there that get away with this and significantly increase their overall earnings from matched betting.

Placing matched bets

I’ll leave the ultimate decision with you but one thing’s for sure, the bookies are very strict on this.

Ultimately, it’s fraud to pretend you’re someone else so there’s a fair argument that this is not just against the bookies’ terms and conditions, but that it’s also illegal.

If you’re caught, it’s a sure fire way to get your account gubbed or banned immediately.

I won’t get caught…

You may think you’re unlikely to get caught, however, the bookmakers use very sophisticated technology these days.

The bookies can spot fraudulent accounts very easily by checking your IP address.

As I mentioned above, it’s not just matched bettors that get their accounts restricted. Regular punters have the same problem.

Overall, I would advise against using this method.

3. Being too successful

Similar to the first point above, the bookmakers are in business to make as much money as possible. That means they’re going to gub accounts that are too successful and ultimately taking too much value.

It’s difficult to know exactly what ‘successful’ means and it varies between different bookmakers. However, bookies gubbing accounts thanks to winning bets is certainly on the rise.

In a 2018 study conducted by Censuswide, an independent research company, they concluded that 1 in 10 bettors had been gubbed at least once.

Whilst the study was on a small scale with just 2,000 bettors taking part, it gives you an idea of how common gubbing has become.

From my own experience, I’d say the actual figure is much higher than this.

So what can we do? Thankfully it’s not all doom and gloom.

Bet with betconnect

Problems often lead to solutions and that’s why betting companies such as Betconnect have launched in the last few years.

Their aim is to level the playing field between bookmakers, punters and professionals.

Betconnect promotions

Those who have been gubbed by bookmakers for being too successful can open an account and place bets with Betconnect immediately. This platform is incredibly popular among experienced bettors.

However, Betconnect is not just for professional bettors. Beginners can copy the bets of seasoned experts in order to get their betting off to winning ways.

For more information, check out our Betconnect review.

How to avoid being gubbed

There are a number of ways you can avoid your accounts being gubbed by the bookies. The aim is to paint the picture of a normal gambler.

Whilst regular punters also have issues with account restrictions, they’re not as commonplace.

Mug betting

Mug betting is a very important strategy to use and it’s one of our top matched betting tips.

This is the number one way to get the bookies off your back.

A mug bet is a matched betting term that describes the process of placing a bet where there is no free bet or promotion available.

The purpose is to make you look like a normal punter.

A mug bet consists of a back and lay bet on the same market i.e a qualifying bet. Check out this article for more information on back and lay betting.

We recommend bettors place mug bets on a regular basis for the long term profitability of matched betting.

Markets you bet on

When it comes to placing your bets, you need to select popular markets where lots of bets are being placed.

England football

We recommend matched bettors place bets on high profile sports like football and horse racing. The main aim is to stick to markets that regular gamblers would bet on so you don’t stand out.

Timing

Whenever possible you need to place your bets as close to kick-off as possible. Placing a bet 3 days in advance of a football match is going to arouse more suspicion than placing it 10 minutes before kick-off.

It’s all about the picture you paint to the bookmakers.

Which bookies are likely to gub your accounts?

Every bookie is different and each has their own guidelines on restricting accounts. Below is a list of bookmakers that seem more likely to gub accounts.

We’ve gathered this information from bettors who’ve reported gubbed accounts.

Whilst this is not an exhaustive list and other bookies may end up gubbing your account, I suggest you tread carefully with the bookies mentioned below.

  • Bet365
  • 888Sport
  • Ladbrokes

As I said earlier in the article, you’re very unlikely to be gubbed by a betting exchange such as Betdaq or Betconnect.

Betdaq sign up offer

I’ve already been gubbed

Unfortunately, getting gubbed is part of betting in the modern industry. Bookies are always on the lookout to maximise their bottom line.

It may or may not happen to you, but one thing’s for sure if you use the steps we discussed above you will certainly reduce the chance of getting gubbed. At least in the short term.

If your account has already been gubbed, getting un-gubbed is not an exact science. It’s a waiting game that may come to nothing.

The best thing that you can do is place mug bets and act as a normal punter would. Try this for a few weeks and check back to see if your restrictions have been lifted.

From experience, once an account has been gubbed it’s tricky to get the restrictions lifted. However, each bookie and case is different so it’s worth a go.

Our advice is to avoid any restrictions in the first place by completing mug bets on a regular basis.

If you do get gubbed you can move onto other bookmakers and take advantage of their offers.

Gubbing – The overall outlook

Unfortunately, being gubbed is part of the betting industry we’re in.

The bookmakers are continuously looking for ways to increase their profit and oftentimes that comes at the expense of both amateur and professional punters.

Whilst there’s not a lot you can do with gubbed bookmaker accounts, I suggest you start using sites like Betdaq and Betconnect. This way you’ll be able to continue betting in the future.

That’s it for this article, I hope it’s helped you understand the meaning of gubbed and it’s effects on matched betting and the industry as a whole.

Learn more about matched betting

If you want to find out more information about matched betting, below are some great articles written by our experts here at The Sure Bettor:

What is matched betting?
Back and lay betting
What is a betting exchange?