More advanced versions involve placing the bets on multiple bookmakers (dutching) to avoid the commission charged for using an exchange.
The latter is required to offset any loss in the event that the result does not occur; for instance, if a team loses.
No matter which result occurs, there will always be a guaranteed profit because the bet was made free of charge.
In essence, the person placing the lay bet acts as a bookmaker.
[6] The growth of matched betting has led to the formation of matched betting services - usually, subscription-based businesses established to make the process easier with step-by-step instructions and bespoke software.