What are the reasons bookmakers may restrict or close user accounts?

why do bookmakers decide to block users'accounts

While online bookmakers present a good opportunity to win money betting on sports, it’s important to remember that it’s not a free-for-all. Bookmakers can and do take action against customers who are in breach of their terms and conditions, including anything from limiting to permanently blocking the accounts of those who are in default on the T&Cs. Sometimes, this includes catching punters who feel they have done nothing wrong, or who may have been genuinely unaware of what, if anything, they have done. So why do bookmakers block accounts, and what can you do to prevent that happening to you?

Common reasons bookmakers block accounts

Violating terms and conditions: Before signing up for an online bookmaker, it’s essential to read through the terms and conditions. There are a number of important terms and conditions that can even catch out unsuspecting players, including using genuine information when creating your account and not using bots or software to manipulate bets. Generally, players who violate the terms and conditions of their bookmaker are at a high risk of having accounts blocked. It’s not worth the risk - read the Ts and Cs before you set up your account to avoid falling foul of the rules.

Creating multiple accounts: Bookmakers generally don’t approve of gamblers creating multiple different accounts to bet through their platform. The same user should only ever use the same betting account, to prevent the abuse of bonuses, accusations of fraud, and the chance of falling into problem gambling behaviour. Don’t have multiple accounts with a bookmaker - one is enough. If you do create multiple accounts, you’re likely to have all accounts blocked and find yourself permanently banned from betting with that bookmaker in future.

Using bots or software: This is a hard one to accidentally breach, but if you’re planning to use bots or software to manipulate bets, it’s almost a sure-thing that your account will get blocked. You may also be subject to legal consequences for using software in your betting, so don’t do it. All bookmakers have terms and conditions that prohibit the use of bots and software in betting, as a form of manipulating the betting markets.

Suspicious betting patterns or fixing: Betting in fixed matches, or employing patterns of betting that are deemed to be suspicious is another common reason bookmakers may choose to block your account. Bookmakers have access to large amounts of data on betting patterns and behaviours, and can detect those that are showing irregularities - often flagged automatically by their software. Any hint of suspicious betting or betting on fixed matches is liable to see your account blocked at the very least, as well as the potential for further challenge from your bookmaker.

Bonus abuse: Bonuses are typically one-time offers, available once per player - not once per account. If you decide to set up multiple accounts to claim a bonus multiple times, or try to do anything clever around the bonuses offered by bookmakers, you’re likely to see your account banned. This can also happen accidentally in a minority of cases with players who haven’t fully understood the terms and conditions, or who have inadvertently breached the rules leading to an accusation of bonus abuse. The answer is to read the terms and conditions, and to behave in accordance with them at all times when dealing with bonuses and your betting account.

Sure bets/arbitrage: Using sure bets, or arbitrage opportunities where there is no risk to you is another common reason accounts are blocked by bookmakers. This is not permitted - bookmakers are in business to make money, and tend to consider this tantamount to cheating the system. They are not prepared to pay out on loopholes and sure bets over the long term, and users identified as using these types of strategies will quickly find their accounts limited or blocked.

Fraud: Fraud is another common reason for accounts being blocked. Creating accounts in third party names, using other people’s documentation to create accounts, using third-party payment methods or falsifying documents are all common behaviours that can be classed as fraudulent, and will likely result in your account being blocked.

Difference between bookmakers blocking and limiting your betting account

Limitation and blocking are two different stages of restriction that can be applied to your betting account, and it’s important to understand the difference. Like any business, bookmakers need to think about their commercial interests too - so may apply limiting conditions to any account at any time, as set out in the terms and conditions. This can include limiting the maximum amount you can bet through your account, or closing down some specific options in your account as a protective step.

Limited punters can still bet through their accounts - it’s just that they will be subject to the limitations decided and imposed by the bookmaker in doing so.

Blocking is a more serious step bookmakers can take, when they decide that they no longer want to accept bets from a player. A blocked account is generally permanently banned from betting through the platform, and will allow no access to betting markets through that bookmaker. If your account is blocked, you have no choice but to register at another bookmaker, and try not to get blocked again by sticking within the terms and conditions you agree to when you sign up.

How to prevent your betting account from being blocked

Preventing your account from being blocked is generally just a case of sticking within the rules. If you’re approaching a bookmaker with the idea of trying to defraud or game the system, you will quickly find yourself running into problems. If you’re just naive to the rules and don’t understand what you’re doing, don’t try anything out of the ordinary until you’ve had a thorough read of the terms and conditions.

Everything you need is in the Ts & Cs - and for the vast majority of punters, limitations and blocked accounts are not something they have to worry about. As long as you stick to the rules and don’t try to defraud the bookmaker or break the rules in any way, you should be able to bet long-term without issue.

If your account does become blocked, it’s important to reach out and communicate with the bookmaker if you think there has been an error. Reach out to customer support with evidence and request a review of your account. If that fails, mediation options are available - but there are no guarantees you will be allowed to resume betting through that platform.

What are the reasons bookmakers may restrict or close user accounts?

Common reasons bookmakers block accounts

Difference between bookmakers blocking and limiting your betting account

How to prevent your betting account from being blocked

More about online betting