I believe advances in AI will make it ever easier for bookmakers to spot players who bet with a consistent edge.
Commercial account restrictions already exist. Britain's Gambling Commission asked major online bookmakers for data covering almost 15 million accounts. In 2024 about 4.3% of active accounts had a commercial restriction, most often a cut to the maximum stake, and about 2.2% were closed for commercial reasons (source). Not every operator follows the same policy; some close no accounts for commercial reasons at all.
My own view is that AI will speed this up. Not only by looking at who wins, but by recognising patterns: which prices a player picks, when they bet, and how often they beat the price set just before kick-off.
For the informed player this creates a second problem. Finding an attractive price is not enough. You must be able to use it: with liquidity, an accepted stake and a real edge after costs.
What a player can do. Exchanges usually don't limit winners in the same way; their main charge is commission. Some sharp bookmakers accept larger stakes and rely on volume. Spreading bets across accounts and taking the price early, before the market moves, both help. None of these is perfect; each has its own limits and costs.
This does not mean opportunities disappear. Careful study can still find inefficiencies in the market. None of them is permanent, though.
Technology is evolving on both sides. The question is who uses it better — and how long an edge survives in practice.
At Pattern90 we assess the quality of our prices through the closing line (CLV). See how: How to judge a tip — CLV
Value is an estimate, not a guarantee. 18+ · Bet responsibly.