How To Make Multiple Sky Bet Accounts

In this article we’re going to look at the subject of matched betting with multiple accounts – and by that we mean having more than one account at the same bookmaker. This is done by holding accounts that you run in other people’s name (friends or family members), not just your own.

In the matched betting community, this has been nicknamed ‘gnoming’. It’s also known as ‘multi-accounting’.

The concept is for a group of friends to create a Group in which they build a Group Bet (Accumulator) by each member of the group making one selection each. When the Group Bet has been created you then have the option to move the Group Bet in to your own Sky Bet account to then place a stake. This is not a Syndicate Bet.

  1. Skybet bog Since Sky bet stopped paying best odds guaranteed on races they have started lowering the odds when I place a bet. Say a horse is listed at odds of 16/1 as soon as I bet on that horse the odds magically lower to 14/1 I then have the option to accept the new odds.
  2. Multiple account closures Please be aware that in instances of multiple account closures/re-openings, we reserve the right to refuse the re-opening of an account. We will of course take your comments into account to understand why you closed the account but be.

Honestly, you’re not going to find this written about very openly on the internet as it’s a taboo subject, even among matched betters. But it’s clear there are people doing it. Plenty admit to it on internet forums. And, of course, it’s allowing them to make much more money than if they had just one set of accounts. So maybe it’s worth a look.

In this article we’ll take a look at some of the things that you should consider if you’re going down this route.

Just a word of caution, though: this does not constitute any legal or tax advice. The below has been put together as a collection of viewpoints based on what others have told us about doing it. What you choose to do with this information is entirely your responsibility.

Is matched betting using multiple accounts legal?

In matched betting, you pose as a regular punter in order to harvest offers and freebies from the bookmakers – all the while you’re actually laying off your bets in a risk-free way so you’re guaranteed profits. Although it’s perfectly legal, some might view it as an inherently murky activity.

Doing matched betting on your own account is already not really in the spirit of what the bookmakers want you to do (and we know this, because they will close your accounts if they suspect you of being a matched better). But does the idea of running multiple accounts at a bookie – using the names of friends and family – cross an altogether different line? Might it even be illegal?

Online

As we’ve said above, we’re absolutely not in a position to give you any legal advice on this. Whilst we haven’t seen anything definitive on the legality of operating bookmaker accounts on behalf of others – either saying it is or is not legal – if you choose to go ahead with this activity, you do so entirely at your risk. It’s extremely grey territory.

One thing, however, is clear. If you’re setting up accounts with bookmakers on behalf of other people then you must have their permission. To do so without that would be identity theft. And you won’t get far with it anyway, for the following reasons:

Make
  • You may be asked to provide identity documents, and background checks to open accounts.
  • Bookies are likely to require you to fund those accounts using a bank account in the same name as the customer (and even if they don’t, making transfers from seemingly unrelated bank accounts is likely to arouse suspicion).

So, first things first, make sure that you have the permission of the other person, and tell them what you’re doing. If they’re not fully onboard with it, then leave it well alone.

Getting the cooperation of friends and family

Having explained the concept to the friend or family member, if they’re still prepared to listen to you, you’re going to need to agree with them how this is going to work.

They’re unlikely to let you make money using accounts in their name if there isn’t something in it for them. Get ready to give them some cash.

It seems that people have tried two methods to compensate the other party:

  • Offer them a percentage of your profits
  • Offer them a fixed monthly payment

From the feedback of those doing it, the latter option is the clear favourite. Giving them a percentage of the profits makes the arrangement more complicated. You’ll constantly have to calculate the amount due, and they may have suspicions you’re not being entirely honest / accurate anyway.

With a monthly fee, things are clearer.

Setting up and operating a multiple matched betting accounts

Keep in mind that the bookmakers are always on the lookout for irregular activity. So anything that doesn’t fit with the profile of a normal punter will raise suspicions. If the bookmaker realises what you’re doing, they will close your gnoming account, and may also gub your own one too!

The feedback, from those using multiple accounts, is that you’ll want to consider a number of important safeguards:

1. Use different addresses and bank accounts

Whilst there are plenty of stories of people having opened up accounts at bookmakers in the name of their wives, not all bookies are open to that sort of thing. Ideally, you don’t want to open up too many accounts under one address. If a bookie sees that you’ve opened 5 accounts at one address for you, your sister, your mum, dad, and gran – they’re probably going to look into that.

But don’t just make up addresses, they need to be where the person actually lives! You may be asked for proof of address.

You also need to use different email addresses.

Equally, you want to be using different bank accounts. There’s more on that below.

2. Use different IP addresses

An IP address shows a bookmaker where you’re accessing the internet from. Again, too much activity coming from one IP address may result in your accounts being flagged.

The chat amongst matched betters is that you want to use a different device and connection for each set of accounts. Many of them have got cheap phones (on a SIM only plan – do NOT connect it to WIFI or it will use the same IP address as anything else using that WiFi connection) to avoid it looking like there are multiple people using the same IP address and device

If that seems a bit much, you could always try getting a decent VPN, which will hide your real IP address when you use the internet.

3. Vary behavior between accounts

Here, the advice seems to be to try logging into accounts at different times and varying user behaviour slightly. If you’re doing identical bets across all accounts at much the same times then that could raise some questions.

Laying bets at the exchange, for multiple bookmaker accounts

The betting exchanges, where you place your lay bets, don’t care if you’re matched betting. They’re also not the ones giving you any bonuses where you make your profits.

So, even if you’re running accounts at the bookies in a dozen different names, you can just use a single account at the exchanges. There’s no problem with that, but bear in mind that you might need to increase the size of your cash float in order to have enough capacity for your lay bets.

Bank accounts for multiple matched betting accounts

Transferring into a betting account from a bank account that doesn’t match the user’s name is suspicious, and in many bookies might not even be possible. So you need to make those transfers in from account in that person’s name

The banking situation is, for us, the greyest area out there. Some people recommend that you set up a new account in the person’s name (obviously with their permission) and you have control over it, and the debit card is in your possession. Not a single bank out there would consent to, or recommend, this arrangement – but people clearly do it. This arrangement has clear risks for both the person whose name is being used, and the person setting up the account.

So many new bank cards that you’re going to need a new wallet

Having control of that account also makes it possible for you to get your profits out of it too. Otherwise, if you don’t control the account, you’re relying on the other person to constantly make transfers out to you and in to bookmakers. If that person is on board with the whole idea then that may not be a problem, but it’s going to slow the whole process down a little. It may also take quite a bit of explaining over why various payments need to be made.

Note that it might also take some explaining to them if you’re making very big profits in relation to the amount you’re paying them!

Tax implications of matched betting on behalf of others

Whilst winnings from bookmakers are tax free, we’re not in any position to tell you what the tax situation is where you’re matched betting on behalf of other people. We’ve seen nothing authoritative that clears this up.

Bet

Is there an argument to say that you’re providing a taxable service on behalf of others? Do they need to pay tax on the money that you might be paying them for this arrangement? These are all things that you’re going to have to consider for yourself – and for full disclosure you may want to mention this risk to the person you’re doing it on behalf of.

Conclusion: Matched Betting using other accounts – is it worth it?

We mentioned right at the start, this isn’t something we’ve got into ourselves. The whole thing is fraught with issues – which we’ve covered above.

Aside from the legal and tax uncertainties, a significant issue is having to explain the idea, and the risks involved to someone else. On top of that, you need their help – or permission – to manage the cash payments and receipts. Unless the person trusts you a lot, they’re likely to be a little suspicious of the whole idea. Most instances where we’ve heard of people operating multiple accounts is where they’re doing it on behalf of a spouse.

Trust between you both is paramount. These sort of arrangements can end in tears, with suspicion or jealousy causing a fall-out. If the other party becomes difficult and decides to complain to the bank or bookmaker then it is going to cause you a lot of trouble and your own accounts will most certainly get gubbed. At worst, you might even end up in court.

Whether you get involved in this is, ultimately, something for discussion between you and the other person. For many, like us, it’s not something we’ll be rushing into soon. But, plenty of people are – and perhaps it’s that which explains some of the seemingly unbelievable matched betting profits you hear people reporting.

Whatever you choose, good luck!

Related

Have you seen the Sky Bet ads on TV, with Jeff Stelling and co telling you to bet on football with them? Are you reading this Sky Bet review because you’re wondering whether you should sign up?

Well, DON’T DO IT!

Actually, I’m really glad you came here first, because it gives me the chance to save you making a big mistake.

Our Rating: (0.5 / 5)

Don’t get me wrong. There was a time when Sky Bet used to be one of my favourite places to bet online. But that all seems a long time ago now.

These days, Sky Bet is no longer owned by Sky. Things have gone completely downhill since Sky sold out the brand, and these days it is, in my opinion, one of the worst online betting sites out there.

In this detailed Sky Bet App review, I’ll tell you all about what’s happened over the last few years. You’ll learn why I no longer trust them with my money, and why I wouldn’t install their mobile app if it was the last one on Earth.

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If you came here looking to download the Sky Bet app right now, hopefully the rating has put you off already. So here are some great alternative betting apps that you can trust. Try one of these instead.

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Overview & History

As I said earlier, when Sky Bet was originally owned by Sky PLC, everything was pretty good. It was a nice place to bet, had good offers, helpful service, and even a pretty decent app back in the day.

But that was then and this is now. Unfortunately, they decided to put profit over their customers. In 2014, Sky decided to sell the majority stake in Sky Bet (which includes Sky Vegas and Sky Bingo) to a private venture capital group called CVC Capital Partners. This was good news for their shareholders, but bad news for their business partners, and most importantly, their millions of punters.

From that point on, Sky still had a minority share in the business, but they were no longer in control. CVC were making all the decisions, and typically venture capitalists only care about one thing – profit.

How Sky Bet Went Bad

Things didn’t change immediately, but over time punters, myself included, began to notice that things were changing. As someone who looks for value bets, I saw the odds getting progressively worse. Others noticed the standard of customer service going downhill. The Sky Bet app listings on Google Play and App Store started getting filled with tons of very positive reviews which were obviously fake.

In 2015 and then 2017, Sky Bet made moves to completely shaft the hundreds of marketing partners who they had made deals with to promote the brand.

In case you think this review is just sour grapes – it’s not. I dodged that particular bullet, and Mobile Betting Site has never carried any ads for Sky Bet. Others did however, and were cheated out of millions of pounds.

Then in 2018, Sky Bet were fined £1 Million by the UK Gambling Commission for failing to protect vulnerable customers. This included deliberately marketing to, and accepting bets from problem gamblers who’d self excluded.

The action against Sky Bet, which is listed on their UKGC license, states that (and I quote):

  • 736 self-excluded customers were able to open and use duplicate accounts to gamble
  • Around 50,000 self-excluded customers received marketing material by email, mobile text or a push notification within a mobile app
  • 36,748 self-excluded customers did not have their account balance funds returned to them on account closure.

Not good at all, and that is a massive understatement.

Selling Out Again

A few weeks later, Sky Bet was sold again, this time to Stars Group. That’d be the same Stars Group that was fined $731 Million by the US Government for illegal activity including fraudulent payment processing.

Does that fill you full of confidence? Me neither.

So even though they’re still allowed to keep using the brand name, and even though you see the likes of Jeff Stelling advertising them, Sky now don’t own any stake in Sky Bet at all. Both they and CVC have made a nice fat profit from shafting their partners, marketing to vulnerable problem gamblers and then selling out to a company with a dubious history.

How To Make Multiple Sky Bet Accounts Without

Now you know why I’m advising you not to join Sky Bet!

Is The Sky Bet App Any Good?

In the interests of fairness, it’s worth having a quick work about the Sky Bet app itself. If you look at the app in isolation, and ignore the fact that by using it you’re betting with a company that I believe cannot be trusted, then the answer is yes it’s OK. Although nowhere near as good as it used to be.

The latest versions of both the Sky Bet Android app and it’s iOS counterpart were installed and tested by our team in 2021 and they worked OK. There was no particular performance degradation, and in general they were fairly easy to use.

I am very suspicious about some of the reviews of the Sky Bet app on Google Play and App Store. I’ve been doing this a while, and I’m able to spot a fake review fairly easily.

I’m not saying all their reviews are definitely fake, because I obviously can’t prove that. But when an app gets a bunch of 5* reviews all at once from users that had never previously posted anything, it does raise suspicions.

I’ll leave you to make up your own mind on that. But as for me, my very low Sky Bet review rating is based more upon them as a company than the quality of the app itself.

Conclusion: Is Sky Bet A Scam?

I’m certainly not telling you that Sky Bet is a scam, so any lawyers reading this, you can put your pens down and shove your threatening letters where they belong. What I am doing is giving you factual evidence, linked with appropriate citations, which shows you what has happened to the brand between 2014 and today.

My personal opinion, which I am allowed to share, is that in 2021 Sky Bet is a brand which I do not trust, and never will do again. This is down to my own experience betting with them, as much as the other factors described above.

How To Make Multiple Sky Bet Accounts Receivable

Our Rating: (0.5 / 5)

My advice is do not bet here. There are plenty of better alternatives, so choose one of them instead.

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Last Updated on February 21, 2021

How To Make Multiple Bet365 Accounts

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