Matched Betting - credit score?

[Monsoon92]

We're thinking of potentially moving after my maternity leave which finishes in May. I've been doing a bit of matched betting in the last few months, which I've mostly stopped as the offers have run out! I checked my credit score on Experian and it was 996, so all good! I wanted to look into getting a credit card with Natwest (already have a mortgage, normal and savings account with them), and they said I wouldn't be eligible despite meeting all the criteria. Is it because of matched betting? And how long does it take for that to 'clear'? We're not looking to move immediately but I do want to know that I haven't permanently messed things up!

It won't have affected your credit score. However, if your mortgage company asks for bank statements that cover the period you were match betting over, they may question the transactions to various bookies. But if you have finished the welcome offers and are no longer 'gambling' then the bank statements won't show.

Is it 6 months they ask to look at or longer?

3 months statements if employed, 6 months of unemployed.

They may have declined you for other reasons other than credit score. Sometimes banks decline because you don't look attractive enough for other reasons or based on affordability etc. Check out Martin Lewis's page for more details on what a credit score means.
As for the matched betting I would stop about 6 months before you think you are ready to buy.

Does affordability mean earning enough money? I put that I earn £1,200 a month, which fits their criteria that you need to earn £10,000 a year. I pay £450 towards my mortgage. Would this be it? Aagh they're desperate to give my husband more credit cards but I can't get one haha!

Affordability means after rent or mortgage and average cost of bills what they feel is affordable. So say for example u have a take home salary each month of £1000, you mortgage and bills all come to £800 that wouldn't be affordable as 200 left isn't that much.
Also I mistyped earlier it's 6month for self employed not unemployed. If your unemployed it's highly likely for an automated decline

No, it won’t be the matched betting - that’s soft searches, not hard ones, they aren’t visible at this stage. Although as others have said, they might raise flags when you submit bank statements.

Anyway, your credit score on Experian is a con, it’s how Experian rank you but they don’t offer credit. Each company assesses differently, based on their own criteria. You need to look at your actual credit file, and what’s recorded, with each of the three main credit reference agencies.

It could be affordability, or the way you run your account - but start with looking at your actual credit files.