Parimutuel betting is one of those terms everyone seems to have heard of but very few people understand. Also known as tote betting in the UK, parimtuel betting is synonymous with wagering on greyhound and horse racing.

In simple terms, parimutuel betting describes a pool wagering system. Payouts are determined by the amount of money staked on each potential outcome. But how exactly does parimutuel betting work? What are the pros and cons of this system?

What is Parimutuel Betting?

When engaging in parimutel betting, all wagers on a particular race or event are collected together in a pool. This means that you’ll be wagering directly against fellow bettors within the pool, rather than having a traditional ‘back’ bet laid by sportsbooks at fixed odds (which is how sports betting usually works).

As you won’t be wagering at fixed odds, you won’t know your wager’s final price or return. This is one of the most intriguing aspects of parimutuel betting. The eventual payout you receive could range anywhere from less than your original stake to an astronomical return.

Once all bets have been placed, taxes and the sportsbook’s commission (or vigorish) are deducted from the total. Subsequently, the final odds and payouts are determined by dividing the total value of the pool by the amount staked on each individual horse, and we’ll explore this in a little more detail below.

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

28/02/24

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

• Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor
• The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence
• Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options

9.8

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

2

1

How Does Parimutuel Betting Work?

As parimutuel odds aren’t fixed, you’ll have no idea about your potential payout until the event has finished. But how exactly are dividends worked out and how do sportsbooks arrive at the eventual odds?

Let’s say that you bet on a popular horse race, such as the Kentucky Derby. In this case, a parimutuel pool collates a total of $100,000 across the five favorite runners, while the total stake on each horse to win equates to $20,000. In this example, the pool is completely even and creates an equal payout.

Payouts are subsequently calculated by dividing the total value of the pool but the amount wagered on each runner (or outcome). In this case, we’ll divide $100,000 by $20,000, creating an odds value of 5.00 (or +400 when using the American format) that’s applied to each horse.

This means you’ll bank a return of $5.00 for every $1 wagered successfully, inclusive of your stake amount. So, if you wager $100 on the winning runner, you’ll receive $500 in total and $400 in pure profit. As usual, you won’t receive any kind of payout if you pick the wrong horse.

In the above example, we’ve assumed that all the money collated by a sportsbook would be payable to winning bettors. In the real world, however, an online sportsbook would apply a 10% – 15% vigorish or commission on the total take, with the remaining pooled funds being distributed among winners.

How are Parimutuel Odds Calculated?

Not seeing the odds before an event starts means that parimutuel betting is not for the faint-hearted.  But the practice provides a clear deviation point from fixed odds wagering. If you see betting lines ahead of an event, these provide a basic guide price based on expected wagering volumes.

When you place a fixed odds bet, you’ll be able to analyze the odds and calculate the implied probability of outcomes. This can help to inform your stake and estimate your return. But, you’re afforded no such advantages when engaging in parimutuel betting.

Remember, there are two primary factors that help sportsbooks to calculate parimutuel odds. These include:

• The total amount of money staked within the pool
• The total amount of money staked on each potential outcome

Now, let’s look at how odds are calculated using the practical example of the 2024 Kentucky Derby. Let’s say that $100,000 is wagered on the win market in this race, with the sportsbook in question applying a 10% vigorish to leave a total pool of $90,000. All bets are placed on the five ante post favorites to win as follows, minus the deducted juice and taxes.

• Sierra Leone – $50,000
• Forever Young – $15,000
• Timberlake – $10,000
• Track Phantom –  $10,000
• Fierceness –   $5,000

Knowing the cumulative size of the pool and the amount staked on each runner, we simply need to divide these numbers to create odds and potential payouts. These calculations will yield the following results:

• Sierra Leone – $90,000 / $50,000 = 1.80 (-125)
• Forever Young – $90,000 / $15,000 = 6.00 (+500)
• Timberlake – $90,000 / $10,000 = 9.00 (+800)
• Track Phantom –  $90,000 / $10,000 = 9.00 (+800)
• Fierceness – $90,000 / $5,000 = 18.00 (+1700)

Based on betting volumes, Sierra Leone would be the short price favorite ahead of the race. The starting odds will also be -125, so you’ll need to wager $125 to bank a profit of $100. Effectively, you’ll recoup $1.80 for every $1 wagered successfully, so only a significant stake would unlock a sizable parimutuel return.

Conversely, wagering $100 successfully on the least popular runner (Fierceness) would return an impressive $1,700. So, you’ll bank approximately $18.00 for every $1 staked. Congratulations! You’re creating a big payout in the unlikely event of your runner prevailing.

The History of Parimutuel Betting

The history of parimutuel betting can be traced back to France in 1870. Local entrepreneur Pierre Oller introduced a new and collaborative method of wagering that changed everything. The world’s first parimutuel betting systems were launched at French racetracks in 1891 before crossing over the Atlantic to the US towards the end of the 19th century. New York state then legalized parimutuel betting in 1913.

In the 1920s, a device called the ‘totalizator’ was designed to help issue and record parimutuel bet slips in New Zealand. This helped to encourage a broader array of exotic parimutuel bets to be placed, including daily doubles, exactas and quinellas (but we’ll discuss these in more detail below).

By 1940, the ‘Parimutuel Revenue Law’ was enacted in NYC, while the State Racing Commission was subsequently empowered to license parimutuel betting on horse races. This created a template for other jurisdictions to follow, with a number of US states having made parimutuel betting a key feature of their online offerings.

Types of Parimutuel Bets

As we’ve touched on, Parimutuel betting has grown in popularity over the years, introducing a growing number of exotic bets since the development of mechanical and computerized machines. Here’s a summary of the most popular parimutuel bets and wager types.

• Win Bets – Win bets are the most popular type of parimutuel wager, as they enable you to back the winner of a particular race or event. This type of bet can unlock variable returns depending on the size of your pool and the amount staked on each runner.
• Place Bets – With a place bet, you’ll wager on a runner or participant to finish within a certain number of places. In horse racing, this will usually include the top two, three, or four places, depending on the number of runners. You can also engage in each-way parimutuel wagering, which sees you split your stake amount between win and place bets and potentially receive a payout that’s around a quarter of the final odds.
• Show Wagers – The show betting market is also synonymous with horse racing, and requires you to back a runner to finish either first, second or third. You’ll receive a similar payout regardless of where your pick finishes within these places.
• Across the Board – This complex wager type features three bet types: namely win, place and show. If your pick wins, you’ll claim all three payouts from the relevant pools in the classic parimutuel system. If your selection places second it will win the show and place wagers, while a third place finish will trigger a share of the show bet payout.
• Exacta Bets – Exacta bets carry increased complexity and risk, as you’ll have to select two runners that will finish first and second in a single race. Interestingly, you’ll also have to predict the correct order that they finish, otherwise you won’t be able to claim any kind of return.
• Quinella Bets – These wagers are similar to an exacta bet, but while you’ll still pick two runners to finish first and second, there’s no requirement to get the order exactly right. This equates to a single wager with two potentially different payouts, while a winning quinella can actually pay more than an exacta in a parimutuel system (depending on your picks).
• Trifecta Bets – As the name suggests, this parimutuel bet asks you to pick three horses that will place first, second and third in a single race. You’ll also have to predict the exact order in which they finish, while it’s one of the most difficult bets to place successfully either on or offline.
• Superfecta Bets – We’ll close with the most complex and difficult wager type, as a superfecta bet requires you to correctly predict the identity of the first, second, third and fourth finishers in a race. Once again, you’ll have to correctly predict the order in which they’ll finish, which is a considerably difficult task.

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

08/02/24

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

• Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes
• Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters
• Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

3

Pros & Cons of Parimutuel Betting

While we’ve described the functionality of the parimutuel betting system and how parimutuel payouts are structured, you may still be unsure as to whether this type of wagering is right for you. So, we’ve prepared some detailed pros and cons of this practice to help you make an informed decision!

Parimutuel Betting Strategy

If you’re going to make a successful fist of parimutuel betting, you’ll need to get strategic and embrace different techniques that may improve your chances of winning. So, here are some tips to help you create a parimutuel betting strategy.

• Target Bookies with Minimal Commission Fees: To begin with, let’s target one of the potential cons associated with parimutuel betting. More specifically, it’s not unknown for sportsbooks to apply a vigorish of between 10% and 30% when establishing parimutuel pools.  You can immediately boost your potential returns and odds by targeting brands that offer a lower rate of commission.
• Use Fixed Odds Betting Markets to Inform Your Selections: While you won’t be able to view the odds before the start of a parimutuel betting event, you can still use fixed odds sites to gauge value and calculate the implied probability of each runner winning. This means that you can tailor your selections to suit the size of your bankroll and appetite for risk, while relying on informative datasets. In general terms, prioritizing short-price favorites may unlock slightly higher value than you would find at fixed-odds sportsbooks.
• Focus on Win, Show and Place Wagers: If you’re familiar with fixed odds betting but new to parimutuel systems, it’s important to simplify your strategy and use exotic wager types sparingly. Instead, prioritize win, show, and place wagers where possible, which can contribute to a balanced approach that helps optimize returns and minimize your risk of loss. Inform your selections based on factors such as form and fixed odds market analysis. Remember that win bets deliver bigger payouts and show or place wagers increase your chances of securing a return.

Parimutuel Betting by Sport

Another key aspect of your parimutuel betting strategy will be the sport that you intend to wager on. While this type of betting is synonymous with horse and greyhound racing, it can also be used when wagering on golf. Here’s a breakdown of how it works in relation to different sports.

Horse Racing

Parimutuel betting is legal in 43 US states in one form or another, while it’s most commonly used to wager on horse racing. In fact, most US-based sportsbooks feature dedicated racebook verticals, which often prioritize parimutuel betting and structures over fixed-odds markets.

Pools will be established in relation to specific events, with so-called “morning lines” published by operators. These lines share typical racecard information and an estimated guide price for each runner. Key and familiar datasets here will include the trainer and jockey combination (as some pairs perform better at specific tracks), recent form and any weight that will be carried by a runner in a handicap race.

You can then compare the fixed odds market for the event using comparison sites such as Oddschecker, before completing your analysis and picking your preferred runners and wagers. You’ll then place your bets and commit your stake money to the pool, contributing to a total amount that will dictate your final odds and payout.

Obviously, odds are continually being calculated as bettors place their wagers. Unlike with fixed odds betting, you won’t see this fluctuation or gauge the volume of bets. Instead, you’ll have to wait for the event to start for this information to be published.

Golf

While parimutuel betting is nowhere near as popular or widespread in the sport of golf, its structure lends itself to the discipline and major tournaments such as the Masters and US Open.

For example, up to 160 players often compete in majors of this type and pro events on the PGA Tour, creating ample opportunities for parimutuel betting and far more flexibility in terms of how odds are priced.

But what are the precise benefits of engaging in parimutuel betting in the sport of golf? Well, wagers can be spread across a large number of outcomes and potential winners. This creates a relatively even market that unlocks competitive odds (especially when backing betting underdogs).

Sure, this can also create volatility and mean that final odds (and payouts) can vary wildly within a short period of time. But, once again, fixed odds markets can help you to make informed player selections. Acessing win and place wagers can help you optimize your chances of winning in the process.

Final Thoughts on Parimutuel Betting

So, there you have it: our comprehensive guide to parimutuel betting in the US. This is one of the oldest and most popular betting systems in the world. It remains synonymous with horse racing and unlocks a huge range of wager types.

It’s also relatively easy to understand. Odds and payouts are calculated simply by dividing the total amount staked in a pool by the amount bet on each outcome. There are even some strategies to help you get the most out of parimutuel betting. Such strategies include the analysis of fixed odds markets!

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

08/02/24

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

• Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds
• 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak
• Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

0

Responsible Betting

However you choose to engage in parimutuel betting, you’ll need to ensure that you wager responsibly at all times. Remember, there’s no form of wagering that isn’t risky, and parimutuel betting is no exception.

The first step to responsible betting is setting a conservative bankroll. Your bankroll should consist of an amount of money that you can comfortably afford to lose. This should ideally cover a specific period of time, event or race meeting. You can also use customizable deposit limits to help manage your bankroll’s deployment.

Of course, you may still struggle with your betting activity on occasions, or find yourself wagering outside of your means. In this instance, we recommend that you reach out to the National Problem Gambling Helpline. Help is available through their website or by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.

This will provide you with practical support and help you to curtail any compulsive behavior before it becomes too problematic.

Improve Your Sports Betting

Parimutuel Betting FAQs

The post Parimutuel Betting – What is Parimutuel Betting & How Does It Work? appeared first on ReadWrite.

BetUS is one of the oldest and most trusted offshore sportsbooks available in the US. In our BetUS review, we’re going to take a close look at why this well-established online betting site is so popular among US bettors.

Our team of experienced gambling experts has invested hours of research to reveal everything important about this operator, including welcome bonuses, game libraries at BetUS casino, BetUS sportsbook features, and racebook options. So, let’s dive into our BetUS review!

125% Sign Up Bonus + Up to 30 Risk Free Bets

08/02/24

125% Sign Up Bonus + Up to 30 Risk Free Bets

• Nearly 30 years of experience in the North American market
• Exclusive sports blogs, picks and previews from The Locker Room and BetUS-TV
• Sports contests with free entries like Ironman, 12th Man and Gridiron Guru

9.6

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

2

250% Casino Bonus Up to $5,000

08/02/24

250% Casino Bonus Up to $5,000

• $3M extensive jackpot offerings and a choice of American & European roulette
• Crypto-friendly with a 250% sign-up bonus and no crypto deposit fees
• 10% back in Roulette on Wednesdays with Dragons Cashback

9.6

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

1

0

BetUS Overview

Let’s get straight into the key facts about an online gambling platform with something for everyone.

BetUS Pros and Cons

BetUS is a seriously good online sportsbook, but, like most things in life, it’s not perfect. We’ve picked out some features that help it to stand out from the crowd, as well as some that could make it even better.

BetUS Welcome Bonus(es) 4.8/5

BetUS operates several different welcome bonuses, but we’re going to focus on the operator’s flagship promos. The big one is the 125% Sign-Up Bonus up to $3,125 on your first, second, and third deposits. It’s a bonus that applies to both sports and the casino, although it is heavily weighted towards sports betting fans.

There is also a 200% crypto sign-up bonus, which is split 150% sport and 50% casino. We’ll go into more detail about these welcome bonuses in the subsections below.

BetUS Casino Bonus

The Casino side of the welcome bonus is worth up to $625, which is 25% of the total deposit bonus available on the sports side. To access the full casino bonus, your initial deposit must be $500.

The casino side of the bonus carries a 30x rollover, and new players have seven days to play through the rollover requirements on both sports and casino.

BetUS Sports Betting Bonus

This bonus is split 100% sports (up to $2,500) and 25% casino (up to $625) and requires a minimum opening deposit of $100. With that in mind, you would need to deposit $2,500 to access the ceiling bonus amount.

The sports part of this bonus carries a 10x rollover requirement but there are several further restrictions, for instance, baseball wagers only count as 50% when calculating rollover. It is also the case that the pool of markets in which bets contribute to the rollover requirements is much smaller than that available overall. For football wagers, only money line bets on full-game, 1st Half, and 2nd Half bets count.

BetUS Promotions and Other Offers

BetUS also offers a 200% crypto sign-up bonus split between 150% sport and 50% casino, where the max total deposit is $2,500. Again, the casino side of the bonus carries a 30x rollover, but the sport carries a 15x time rollover, which is 50% higher than the 125% welcome bonus.

BetUS Bonus Codes in 2024

BetUS Loyalty Program

BetUS operates an appealing loyalty program that enrolls players automatically. For every real money online sportsbook wager placed, you will receive points that will enable you to move up through the six BetUS Rewards tiers(Black being the pinnacle).

At any time, you can redeem your points in the BetUS Mall for some great rewards. One of the great features of this loyalty program is that you get up to $500 in bonus funds every time you move up a tier. If you can get to the top tier, you will get up to 10% in bonus funds on every deposit!

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Claiming BetUS Bonus

There are several common mistakes that bettors make when claiming a new sign-up offer. Here are the most common ones:

• Forgetting to input the promo code!
• Depositing less than the minimum required to unlock the bonus
• Not making note of the expiry date
• Playing games that don’t contribute to the playthrough requirement
• Playing markets or games that don’t contribute to rollover requirement
• Betting sports odds that don’t meet the rollover requirement threshold

BetUS Sports Betting

The BetUS sportsbook is one of the best in the industry. The range of sports coverage, combined with the competitiveness of odds, rivals any sports betting platform on the market. The sports section is super-easy to navigate and bet types like parlays and bet builders are given prominence at the top of the top of the left-hand sports menu. From beginners learning how to bet to seasoned veterans, every bettor will love what the BetUS sportsbook brings to the table.

Betting Markets Available at BetUS

Mention if live betting is an option, as well as all the most popular sports markets to bet on.

• Football – There is no bigger betting sport in the US than NFL and at BetUS, there are hundreds of ways to bet on the big-game action. You’ll find all the standard pregame and live NFL betting options like moneyline, point spreads, totals, etc as well as a great range of prop bets, same-game parlay options, and special markets such as MVP or Draft picks.
• Baseball – Baseball fans will love BetUS. You’ll find competitive odds and markets on every MLB game and an industry-leading selection of futures specials, such as odds on the Yankees making the playoffs.
• Basketball – At BetUS, basketball bettors are truly at home. The NBA takes center stage, as you would expect, but you’ll also be able to bet on basketball leagues worldwide, like the Euroleague or the CBA in China.
• Soccer – Soccer betting is a phenomenon around Europe, especially in the UK, where Premier League soccer is hugely popular. At BetUS, you can bet on hundreds of live betting soccer markets.
• Hockey – Whether it’s regular game odds, playoff odds, or Stanley Cup odds, BetUS has your back. The selection of live betting markets rivals any regular online sportsbook, as does the fairness of odds and lines.
• College Sports – College sports betting is covered in each sports section. So, if you are looking for NCAAF futures odds, you’ll find them in the football section of the sportsbook.
• Horse Racing – The dedicated racebook at BetUS ensures horse racing fans can wager on races from around the world every day of the year. You can bet win and/or place and exotic bets like Trifecta, Superfecta, Pick 3, etc. The only downside to the racebook is that it doesn’t live-stream races.

BetUS Licensing & Security 4.7/5

BetUS is run by Milvus Ltd and licensed and regulated by the Curacao Gaming Commission. The platform operates from a .pa domain, which is in Panama, but the company is headquartered in Costa Rica.

The site’s security policy states that BetUS will “protect information relating to each transaction with our unique encryption system.” The site uses industry-standard SSL encryption technology to protect sensitive data. Furthermore, all BetUS games have reasonable return-to-player (RTP) percentages to ensure customers receive an allotted percentage back from the games.

BetUS Games Selection 4.8/5

Let’s now look at the selection of games available in the BetUS casino and how it compares to other online casinos.

Slots

Standing at just over 100 individual slot games, the BetUS library is smaller than many of its contemporaries. However, you’ll find a great range of hugely popular titles, such as Treasure On The Nile, Dragon Fortune Friendly, and Touchdown Gold.

Poker & Video Poker

BetUS caters to poker fans with at least 20 classic poker titles and another 20+ variations of video poker games. If you’re new to video poker, BetUS has an informative guide on how to play each title with hand rankings, strategy, payouts, and a glossary of terms. You can also test many of the games in free-play mode. BetUS tops it off with poker tournaments. Here, you compete with other players on the leaderboard for a large poker prize pot.

Table Games

The table game section at BetUS is packed with loads of variations of all the classics. There are at least eight versions of roulette alone, including the special edition game Dragon Roulette, which carries a monster 200x multiplier.

Live Dealer Games

Leading studio provider Visionary iGaming powers the live casino at BetUS. With at least 10 live dealer games taking place at any one time, a lot is going on in this busy room. You can play mini-games within the virtual dealer rooms while waiting to play any of the blackjack, roulette, baccarat, or Super 6 games.

BetUS Deposits & Withdrawals 4.9/5

Banking is a hugely important factor when assessing online sportsbooks. It is imperative that you can rapidly access your winnings, you don’t want to be hit with surprise fees and you need to know what options are available for depositing money and how to withdraw funds. With that in mind, we’ve highlighted the key banking features at BetUS.

• Payment Methods: American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bank Wire Transfer
• Min Deposit: $10
• Max Withdrawal: $2,500
• Fees: None
• Payout Time: 24 hrs – 15 days

BetUS User Experience 4.9/5

The BetUS mobile site has a clean, blue-themed color palette. The homepage looks and feels modern, laid out in a way that makes the site super-easy to navigate, with all the most important information easily accessible. Most importantly, it is easy to navigate to the promotions page, the online casino and the sportsbook all from the main menu at the top of the homepage.

The casino is laid out in tile form but it does lack a search bar, which would help look up a slot game. The sportsbook design is top-class, with every sporting event within a couple of clicks. If you are a fan of odds boosts, parlays, or prop builders, you won’t have to go far because these options have been given pride of place at the top of the left-hand sports menu. The betting slip is clear, well designed, and makes it almost impossible for anyone to mess up a wager. All in all, it’s hard to fault the BetUS user experience.

BetUS Mobile App 4.5/5

The BetUS mobile app is a web-based platform compatible with iOS and Android. Like many offshore sports betting sites, this operator does not have a dedicated, downloadable app. All the BetUS welcome bonuses are available on the mobile site.

BetUS Customer Support 4.8/5

One of the reasons why BetUS has managed to establish a respected brand in the industry is its top-level customer support. The rapid response customer service times on the live chat are impressive. At the same time, the comprehensive FAQ link section, which is linked to at the bottom of the home page, provides valuable information on some fundamental questions. Phone lines are manned 24/7, although email responses take a little longer.

How To Join BetUS and Claim Welcome Bonus

To open an account at BetUS, follow these simple steps, and you’ll be playing your favorite games within a few minutes.

Similar Online Casinos and Sportsbooks to BetUS

• BetOnline
• Mega Dice
• Bovada
• Lucky Block

Our Final Verdict on BetUS

BetUS has become one of America’s favorite sportsbook and casino platforms. The casino is home to hundreds of top-class slots and table games, while the sportsbook has everything any top sportsbook should have, apart from live streaming, which is slightly disappointing.

However, with so many great welcome bonuses available, regular promos and offers, including a great loyalty program, and super-fast payment options, including all the most popular cryptocurrencies, this gambling platform has so much going for it. So, what are you waiting for? Click on the link below to start your BetUS betting journey.

BetUS FAQs

The post BetUS Review 2024 appeared first on ReadWrite.

You may have heard the term ‘betting system’ if you regularly wager at online sportsbooks. After all, this can incorporate any number of rules and methodologies to help select your bets. These systems can form part of a much broader betting strategy, too.

Of course, sports betting systems can be hard to understand and implement. Formulating the one that works for you is also complicated. So, let’s take a closer look at betting systems and how they work in the realm of sports wagering!

What is a Betting System?

A quick Google search of the sports betting term ‘betting system’ will bring up plenty of articles that focus on strategy. However, while there’s a significant crossover between sports betting systems and betting strategies (we’ll touch more on this later in the guide), they’re also separate entities that need to be treated as such.

A betting system describes a set of predetermined rules and processes that precisely define how you make wagering selections. Whether picking the winner of the next NFL regular season or betting on specific gameweeks and matches, your system will enable you to make the best value selections and wager at optimal odds.

Interestingly, different betting systems are more suited to specific sports, while others may be more or less viable depending on your appetite for risk. So, it’s essential to understand specific betting systems in detail before you choose one that’s most likely to work for you.

How Betting Systems Work

As sports betting involves results influenced by unpredictable variables, you have no deterministic edge as a bettor. Sportsbooks actively use betting systems to help set more accurate and enticing odds. They also factor in a commission of around 10% into their odds calculation. This creates a de facto edge on every wager they accept.

So, it makes sense that creating your own betting systems can help to counter this edge and optimize your own chances of winning. Specific systems may also focus on minimizing losses or maximizing returns, depending on your appetite for risk and preferred wagering strategy. We’ll use the classic ‘Martingale’ system for our example. This system works as an effective football betting system.

The Martingale system aims to maximize each win’s value. Typically, you’ll double your unit bet after every loss. Conversely, bettors will wager their base stake immediately after a win. In sports betting, you’ll also target even matchups where the implied probability of at least two outcomes is close to 50%.

So, you may decide to bet on the outcome of a clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA. The Lakers are priced at +155, implying a 39.3% probability of a home win. The Clippers are priced at -155 and have a 60.7% chance of prevailing. Let’s say you choose to back the underdogs with a unit bet of $5. If this wager is unsuccessful, you’ll target a match with similar odds, increasing your stake to $10. You’ll continue this until one of your selections wins. After that win, you’ll return to wagering a single unit bet.

The goal is to cover successive losses with a relatively sizable win. It’s a betting system that’s focused solely on maximizing returns.

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

28/02/24

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

• Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor
• The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence
• Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options

9.8

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

2

1

Are Betting Systems Legal?

Sports betting systems are completely and unequivocally legal. No federal or state laws exist to prohibit examples such as matched betting or progressive wagering.

However, there are some betting systems that may be discouraged or frowned upon in some quarters. Take the aforementioned Martingale System, which doubles your unit bet with every successive loss. While the goal here is to maximize the value of each win, it requires you to exhaust your bankroll relatively quickly and effectively chase losses aggressively.

Of course, loss-chasing (either emotive or otherwise) is widely discouraged in sports betting, as it can make you wager outside your means and trigger mounting debts. So, despite its popularity (especially among well-resourced bettors and high rollers), the Martingale System is one of the most criticized betting techniques in existence.

Other, less popular, betting systems are also lacking in merit and arguably a little one-dimensional. Take backing the second favorite in horse races, for example, which theoretically enable you to wager on relatively fancied runners at superior odds.

However, it’s never wise to pick winners based on just one factor or trend, even if it does achieve minimal success from time to time. Ideally, you should prioritize more in-depth and thoughtful betting systems that take a broader selection of factors into account.

Why are Betting Systems Important?

We’ll talk more about the best and most effective sports betting systems below, but it’s important to first reinforce the importance of using certain methodologies to introduce order into your gambling activity and effectively counter the prevailing house edge. Here are some factors in favor of developing a viable betting system:

• Gain a Competitive Advantage: While there’s no such thing as a gambling system that never loses, it’s important to remember that sportsbooks use commission and their own unique betting systems to generate a house edge. So, it’s important to negate this edge and use sports betting systems to gain your own competitive advantage.
• Create Opportunities for Guaranteed Profits: With systems like matched betting, successful execution can also unlock guaranteed (albeit nominal) profits. For example, you could lay a back bet on the Lakers to beat the Clippers in the NBA, at identical odds through a dedicated betting exchange. By using one or more free bets, you can secure at least some level of profit in some instances.
• Set Optimal Stake Amounts: When you use systems such as the Kelly Criterion, you can use a mathematical formula to establish the optimal amount of money to commit to each individual wager. This is based on the live odds of your chosen outcome and the implied probability values on a particular match, while it ultimately recommends a percentage of your bankroll that you should consider wagering. We’ll touch more on this later in the guide too.

Betting Systems You Should Give a Try

Now it’s time to explore the best and most effective sports betting systems in a little more detail. Remember, we’ve already covered the controversial but high profile Martingale system, so here are some alternatives that are worth considering!

Fibonacci System

We’ll start with the Fibonacci system. This system offers mathematical sports betting and has similarities with the Martingale system. While it also encourages you to increase your bet size whenever you lose a wager, the scale at which you raise your unit bet is a little more gradual.

More specifically, this system requires your next bet to be determined by adding your two previous stakes together. For example, let’s say that your unit bet is $5 and your initial wager losses. Let’s see how your stake amounts would progress following five successive losses using both the Fibonacci and Martingale systems:

As you can see, your stake amount after five wagers is doubled when using the Martingale system. This creates a far greater strain on your bankroll and a more aggressive approach. However, the Fibonacci is less effective at recovering previous losses. So the Martingale system’s heightened risk does unlock potentially higher returns and profits if it can be sustained.

Paroli System

Both the Fibonacci and Martingale systems are known as ‘negative progression’ betting systems, which see you increase your stake with each loss. The Paroli system, however, requires you to double your wager after each win until three successive triumphs are achieved, with this known as a ‘positive’ progression system.

So, let’s say that your first stake on an NFL regular season game is $100, placed at odds of +200. A win here would see you increase your stake to $200, while a further triumph would see you subsequently wager $400. Regardless of the result of your third bet, you’ll then return to your initial stake, ensuring that you bank a sizable profit over the course of these four wagers.

The idea here is to capitalize on wins and minimize the risk of losing money from your original bankroll. It’s therefore favored by risk-averse or less experienced bettors across a broad range of sports.

Labouchere System

The Labouchere System is one of the most complicated sports betting techniques, as it involves creating a bespoke sequence of numbers that should ideally equate to your desired level of profit.

Unit bets are determined by the total sum of the first and last numbers in the sequence, while the system offers innate flexibility by allowing you to set your own digits and adjust them over time. For example, if you create a simple 1-2-3 sequence, the potential profit for each cycle of wagers is $6, while your stake should be equal to the first and last numbers ($4).

If your bet is successful, remove the first and last number from the sequence (1 and 3 in this instance). If you lose, you’ll be required to add the amount staked to the end of the sequence (4), with this sequence continuing until you win.

Of course, this is a highly complex betting system, and one that is synonymous with roulette rather than sports wagering. However, it does afford you a more flexible approach to risk-management, and is ideal if you have full comprehension of how the system works.

Labouchere Reverse System

As the name suggests, the ‘Labouchere Reverse System’ is a progressive iteration of the classic alternative. In fact, you’ll simply invert the rules and bare the bets on the sequence following losses, before adding the last stake amount played following a win.

Like the standard Labouchere System, this requires significant understanding and disciplined application. As an inherently progressive betting system that requires you to build on successes, this is a relatively risk-averse approach that minimizes the risk of incurring sizable losses over time. It also retains the same level of flexibility.

D’Alembert System

The intriguingly named ‘D’Alembert System’ is known as quite a conservative betting system, which sees you increase your wager size by a single unit bet after each individual loss. You’ll also decrease your stake by one unit bet after a win, and it’s driven by a balanced approach that’s incredibly easy to understand.

Over time, you’re unlikely to record ever big wins or losses by using the D’Alembert System. Instead, you can expect an RTP rate that’s modest and helps you to retain as much of your starting bankroll as possible, enabling steady progression and incremental returns.

Kelly Criterion

The ‘Kelly Criterion’ model is best known as a tool for use in financial trading and investment markets, but it actually started out life as a betting system in roulette. However, it now has huge appeal in the sports betting realm, while its core purpose is to calculate the optimal amount of cash to commit to each individual wager. There’s even an equation to help you calculate this:

F = (BP – Q) / B

F = Bet size (expressed as a percentage of your bankroll)

B = Wager Odds (expressed in decimal format)

P = The implied probability of your wager being successful

Q = Relays the probability of your bet losing (expressed as 1 – P).

To provide some context, let’s look at the NBA clash between the Golden State Warriors and New York Nicks. You can back the Warriors to prevail at decimal odds of 1.82, which implies a 55% probability of a home win. This means that the chances of you losing are approximately 45%, with the draw not a viable consideration here.

In this instance, the equation will read as follows:

0.0012 = (0.82*0.55 – 0.45) / 0.82

This creates a minimal bankroll percentage, but you can multiply this by 100 to establish a value of 0.12%. So, the recommendation would be to either wager your minimal unit bet (depending on its size) or reduce your average stake. Conversely, consider creating value and altering the odds through markets such as point spread betting and parlay wagering.

Regardless, the key is to calculate an optimal stake amount based on the odds and implied probability associated with each individual match.

The Unit Betting System

If you don’t fancy either progressive or negative betting systems, you could consider unit betting. This is an incredibly straightforward and consistent technique. Unit Betting is based on staking your unit bet value in variable increments depending on the specific market or wager in question.

Your unit bet should be expressed as a percentage of your bankroll, based on its total size and how you intend to deploy this over a specific timeframe or event. For example, your unit bet value may be $5, and this will be the average stake amount that you commit when engaging in sports betting.

Depending on each betting lines’ odds, implied probability and potential returns, you can then scale your unit bet accordingly. For example, you may double your unit bet (to $10) when wagering on short price favorites that are widely expected to win, while minimizing your stake when backing less fancied outcomes that unlock inherently higher returns.

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

08/02/24

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

• Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes
• Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters
• Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

3

Tips for Incorporating Betting Systems

Regardless of your preferred betting system, it’s important to incorporate this successfully and in full as part of a wider wagering strategy. Here are some universal tips that can be applied regardless of how you deploy your bankroll.

• Start With a Solid Bankroll: All sports betting systems require you to start from a solid foundation. That solid base must include a carefully calculated and managed bankroll. This should be an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose. Those boundaries must be established to cover a predetermined period of time.
• Understand Your Risk Appetite: Each betting system has its own approach to managing risk and losses. Positive and negative progression systems are also different in this regard. So, not only do you need to understand the mechanisms of each betting system, but you should also comprehend how this meshes with your own risk profile.
• Combine Different Betting Systems Where Possible: It’s possible to combine multiple betting systems and techniques into a single wagering strategy. This is something you should consider. Systems like the Kelly Criterion have universal merit and help you calculate optimal stake amounts for each bet. This certainly works well in combination with a flat or unit betting system.
• Determine Which Systems Suit Specific Sports: Due to the differences between betting systems, each has its unique pros and cons. Alternative systems may also be particularly suited to certain sports. Specific systems are based on the level of skill involved in picking winners and the available wagering requirements. It’s important to understand this to identify the best system for you!

The Betting Markets for Different Betting Systems

If you decide to pick specific betting systems to suit individual sports, how can you make selections? Here’s our take on the best betting systems for individual sporting events and markets!

NBA Betting System

The NBA schedule is hectic, with franchises playing 82 matches during the regular season. This puts teams at the mercy of injuries and load management demands. With all that strain, it can make it hard for sides to string together consecutive wins.

This is especially true when backing teams who won by a close margin their last time out. Between 2018 and 2023, such teams had a win-loss record of 184-94. However, they were 112-157-9 against the spread (ATS) in the following game when favored again.

This may also reflect the fact that sides are overvalued after a close win. Either way, it suggests that any kind of progressive betting system may be flawed here. Instead, you should consider unit betting when wagering on the NBA.

MLB Betting System

Over/under betting is particularly popular in baseball and MLB, especially in matchups featuring big wagering lines (such as + or – 7.5 runs). The presence of such lines means that sportsbooks are expecting high-scoring games. This favors betting underdogs and may help to create value in match wagering.

Underdog betting can be particularly fruitful during April when sportsbooks are still calibrating their odds and gauging the form of competing sides. Interestingly, the last ten years of MLB action have seen underdogs go 1,487 – 1,866, and while this equates to a win percentage of just 44.43%, you can improve this further by targeting potentially high-scoring games.

You can also apply the D’Alembert System when betting on underdogs in the MLB. This enables you to progress your stake and maximize the value of underdog wins.

NFL Betting System

Interestingly, backing selected underdogs can also prove fruitful in NFL betting, although in this instance, it requires you to focus on lower-scoring games. For example, underdogs who scored less than (or equal to) 42 points are 205-150-10 (57.7%) since 2018.

In divisional matchups, underdogs with 42 or fewer points scored have won 59.6% of the time ATS. Those dogs produced a cumulative record of 84-57-4. So, you can target matches based on the published over/under odds and betting lines, before selecting underdogs and setting your stake.

Given historical performance and the right execution, this betting system also calls for a progressive approach. In this case, the D’Alembert or Labouchere systems may offer significant value. But this also depends on your appetite for risk and your level of experience in sports betting.

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

08/02/24

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

• Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds
• 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak
• Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

0

What is Progressive Betting?

We’ve already spoken extensively about progressive betting, which describes a system whereby you increase your unit bet after each wager. How you increase your unit bet will vary from one system to another, with ‘positive’ and ‘negative’ progressive systems available. These can be broken down as follows:

• Positive Progression Systems: With positive progression systems, you’ll increase your unit bet after each win. Popular examples include the Labouchere Reverse and Paroli Systems. These entities tend to be more preoccupied with minimizing losses and conservative bankroll management.
• Negative Progression Systems: With this type of betting system, you’ll increase your unit bet value with each loss. The Martingale and Fibonacci systems are common negative progression examples, while they’re focused on maximizing the value of individual wins. However, there are more conservative negative progression systems in play, including the D’Alembert System.

Responsible Gambling

Even if you are on a roll with a specific betting system, it is important to always keep your eye on the bigger picture and make sure you’re not betting outside of your financial means. Responsible gambling is the best betting system to utilize when wagering on sports. But, if your betting habits become overwhelming and are beginning to affect your life and those around you, know that help is just a click away.

There are several resources dedicated to helping problem gamblers and their families, such as:

• National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG)
• Gamblers Anonymous

Our Final Thoughts on Betting Systems

As you can see, there are plenty of sports betting systems available when gambling online. These vary between positive and negative progression systems, while they also have different levels of complexity and associated risk. Some are also frowned upon, with examples like the Martingale system encouraging aggressive loss chasing over time.

Still, you need to compare and review different betting systems in detail. That means measuring them against the size of your bankroll, appetite for risk and core objectives when wagering on sport. You should also identify a betting system that suits your preferred sports and wager types.

Related Sports Betting Guides

Sports Betting FAQs

The post Betting Systems – How They Work and Which Ones Work Best appeared first on ReadWrite.

Point spread betting comes in all shapes and sizes, not just game outright odds. Top online sportsbooks will offer odds on things like the number of touchdowns a player will score in a game, the number of three-pointers in a basketball game, etc. But, nothing beats the classic format of taking the points in the big game. So, let’s dive right in and explore the many facets of point spread betting in today’s sports betting world.

What is Point Spread Betting?

A point spread is a number set by sportsbooks that levels the playing field between two teams, to drive betting action on both sides. The spread relates directly to the margin of victory in any given game. To “cover the spread”, a team must win by a final margin larger than the point spread or, in the case of an underdog, lose by fewer points than the spread (or win outright).

However, it is fair to say that by some distance, the most popular point spreads are winning margin lines. Point spreads are regarded as one of the ‘big three’ betting types, along with moneyline and totals (over/under).

How Point Spread Betting Works

Point spread betting is all about the favorite winning by more than the spread margin, or the dog winning the game by less, or just winning the game. If the Dolphins are -7 on the spread against the Eagles, then anyone that places a point spread wager on the Dolphins needs them to win the game by at least 8 points to cover the spread. Anything less, and it’s a losing wager.

When you place a spread wager, the betting odds will always include juice/vig, which varies from sportsbook to sportsbook. A strong team with a high outright win percentage could have a point spread of -2, but that bet could also come with a high cost, like -200 or even higher, with the +12 underdogs returning +180 or more.

In the 2024 Superbowl, the 49ers were -2 on the point spread against the Kansas City Chiefs. Anyone with that bet needed the 49ers to win the game by at least 3pts. Unfortunately, they lost it by three points, so the 49ers failed to cover the spread.

It’s not just in tight encounters that the teams fail to meet point-spread expectations. In 2013, the Denver Broncos went into their home game with Jacksonville as the hottest offense in the NFL. Averaging 46pts per game against a team averaging just over 10pts per game, the hosts were justifiably expected to cover a 28pts spread but the Broncos didn’t get close to covering the spread against an improved defensive performance from the Jaguars.

How to Read Point Spreads

Point spreads are super easy to understand once you get the basics. The spreads themselves correlate directly with moneyline odds – the shorter the moneyline odds of a favorite, the bigger the spread they will have to cover.

• Handicaps: How to Spot Them – Point spreads effectively handicap bets because the spread is effectively the expected winning margin for the favorite.
• Finding the Favorite – Point spreads are always built around the favorite and their expected winning margin. If it’s a close game and you are not sure who is the favorite, check out the moneyline odds.
• Identifying an Underdog – The underdog is always the biggest moneyline odds. The spread effectively gives them a head start in the game. If an underdog wins a game, no matter what the spread line, they beat the spread.

The Importance of Shopping for Lines

With so many sportsbooks now in the marketplace, it’s well worth pointing out that point spread lines will vary, as will all game odds. With this in mind, it is always really important to to shop around and find the best lines or odds as a part of your betting strategy. If you fancy the favorite to cover a -5 spread but another book is going -4 about the same team, you should be taking that -4, assuming the spread odds are the same. Similarly, if you fancy a dog, the bigger the line the better your chance of landing a winning bet. Small margins can make a big long-term difference if you find the best value each time.

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

28/02/24

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

• Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor
• The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence
• Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options

9.8

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

2

1

How to Bet Against the Spread (ATS)

Betting against the spread can be a great way to beat the book, especially if you think the spread is too high. To bet against the spread, you are simply backing the underdog (+) option. If a favorite is -5 on the spread, the underdog will be +5. You are betting on the underdog to lose by less than the spread – it’s normally referred to as ‘betting against the spread’.

Why would you bet against the spread? There are a million angles and it largely depends on what you place more store in. The favorite might not have a particularly good record at a stadium, they might have traveled a lot, or they might be missing a key forward.

What Does “Covering the Spread” Mean?

Covering the spread simply means beating the spread line. So, if a team is -12 on the spread, they will cover it if they win the game by 13pts or more. Similarly, if the underdog is +12 on the spread, they need to lose by no more than 11pts.

On either side, if the margin matches the spread, the bet is a push, and stakes are refunded. If the spread involves half-point numbers, eg -8.5/+8.5, then there has to be a winner and loser.

Live Betting Point Spreads

Live spread betting is an in-running line that moves according to the current game state. Lines are constantly changing throughout the game, depending on what is happening on the field. If the favorite is heavily on top, their point spread will increase, and vice versa. This fast-paced, volatile type of bet isn’t for everyone, especially as your bet could look in trouble just a couple of plays later.

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

08/02/24

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

• Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes
• Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters
• Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

3

How to Place a Point Spread Bet

To place point spread bets, you will need an account at an online sportsbook. Here, we’ll walk you through the steps required to get a sports betting account up and running.

Point Spread Betting by Sport

You can place point spread bets on most team sports but there is no doubt that NBA, NFL, MLB, and NHL are the most popular for a point spread wager. Let’s take a closer look at how point spreads work within each of these.

NBA Point Spread Betting

A high-scoring game like basketball lends itself perfectly to a point spread wager so it’s no surprise that NBA point spread betting is super popular. Bettors assess factors like home-court advantage, head-to-head records, recent form, and coaching strategy to evaluate NBA lines.

NFL Point Spread Betting

US sports fans love NFL betting like nothing else, and point spread lines are one of the most popular ways to enjoy a big Sunday game. Because of the nature of football scoring, NFL betting spreads are typically set around these key numbers: 2.5, 3, 3.5, 6, 6.5, 7, 7.5. Team news around an NFL football game is generally only truly meaningful if it involves a team’s quarterback, although cluster injuries around a particular position might also have an impact. Recent form is a huge factor when assessing NFL point spread lines.

MLB Point Spread Betting

MLB’s version of the point spread is the run line. However, run lines tend not to have as much variation as spreads in other sports because just a single run decides such a big chunk (around 30%) of MLB games. With that in mind, run lines are generally set at 1.5 (-1.5 for the fav, +1.5 for the dog). Run line bettors should dig into the starting pitchers, batting lineups, home/away splits, injuries, and weather when sizing up that day’s baseball run line betting options.

NHL Point Spread Betting

The NHL version of the point spread is the puck line, which stipulates a certain number of goals between two sides. Because ice hockey is generally a low-scoring sport, puck lines are typically set at 1.5. If a line is set at 1.5 goals, then the favorite needs to win by two goals, or the dog needs to win or lose by no more than a single goal.

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

08/02/24

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

• Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds
• 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak
• Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

0

Point Spread Betting Tips From Our Experts

Assessing point spread lines involves research and understanding. Here are our top five tips for finding point spread line value.

• Do your research: Know your numbers, player stats, head-to-head data, recent form, etc. It’s a great foundation.
• Keep on top of team news: Team news can have a huge impact on speed lines, especially if it involves a pitcher or a quarterback. However, if you are slow to react, you will have missed any potential value in the point spread change.
• Shop around: Find the best lines and point spread bet odds by having multiple sportsbook accounts. The differential might seem small and immaterial, but in the long term, these edges add up.
• Keep on top of staking: Disciplined staking is essential, especially when you are taking negative prices on point spread bets. Whatever your staking plan, stick to it.
• Don’t combine point spreads in parlays: The prospect of turning three point-spread wagers into a +500 return might look appealing but each leg of a parlay multiples the vig, so the more individual legs of the parlay there are, the worse total value the bet will be.

Pros and Cons of Point Spread Betting

Betting the spreads won’t be for everyone, especially the in-game lines. Let’s look at the pros and cons of this type of sports bet.

Final Thoughts on Point Spread Betting

Point spreads are a great option for sports fans, especially in high-scoring games like NFL and NBA. It’s a vehicle that can be used to get better odds on a favorite or provide yourself with a bigger cushion on an underdog. Don’t be one-dimensional and bet spreads all the time, but do see this wager type as a valuable tool in your betting armory.

Responsible Betting

Like all forms of gambling, betting on sports comes with significant risks. With this in mind, you must bet sensibly, responsibly, and within your means. Responsible gambling tools are available on all sportsbooks that can help with this process, such as adding deposit limits, play times, and even complete exclusion, if your betting has got out of control.

Related Betting Guides

Point Spread Betting FAQs

The post Point Spread Betting – How to Master Betting on Point Spreads appeared first on ReadWrite.

Professional sports bettors have been able to do something most of us dream about. They all turned a hobby into an extremely lucrative career. But, with multi-million dollar wins also comes the danger of multi-million dollar losses. But how does someone become a full-time all-star sports bettor? What are their secrets? And most importantly, who are these sports betting professionals and how did they gain their fame? Our experts take a look and also offer tips to help you become a pro at any online sportsbook. 

What is a Professional Sports Bettor?

If you’re logging onto your favorite online sportsbook and placing a few bets every weekend, you are probably not a pro. But, all sports bettors have to start somewhere, right? 

A professional sports bettor is someone who makes a living betting on sports. That usually means doing intensive research, creating expert betting models, and in some cases, curating weekly picks for their fanbases. 

In most cases, the most high-profile professional sports betting icons have a solid grasp on bankroll management and use a specific betting system, such as arbitrage betting or middling, to amass their fortunes. Others have created perfect models that allow them to create double-digit team parlays or find value in overlooked markets. A keen eye for detail is crucial when a bettor wants to turn pro. 

The Top Pro Sports Bettors of All Time

We all know the names of the best NFL players to step onto the court or the greatest NFL icons to own the gridiron, but who are the top pro sports bettors of all time? Our experts have compiled the ultimate list of successful sports bettors and why you should know them!

Billy Walters

Billy Walters began his sports betting career at the age of nine when he took the money he made on his paper route and bet it on the New York Yankees to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1955 World Series. For some bettors, a loss on their first wager might have deterred them from starting a betting career, but Walters was hooked regardless of the Dodgers win in seven games. 

In the 1980s, Walters joined the Computer Group, which uses computers to analyze potential sports outcomes. Over the following 39 years, Walters had a 30-year winning streak and only tallied one losing year. Some of Walters’ biggest wins include a $3.5 million payout from the New Orleans Saints victory in Super Bowl XLIV and a $2.2 million win thanks to USC beating Michigan in the 2007 Rose Bowl. But College Football and the NFL bets are not how most sports fans may have heard of Walters. That would be thanks to his connection with one of the world’s best golfers.

In his memoir, “Gambler: Secrets From a Life at Risk,” Walters reveals that former PGA Tour legend Phil Mickelson bet more than $1 billion from 2010 to 2014, accruing losses of around $100 million. One of those instances was the 39th Ryder Cup, in which Mickelson called Walters hoping to place a $400,000 bet on the U.S. Team. The only problem with that wager is that Mickelson was on that U.S. Team, which eventually lost the Ryder Cup to Europe.

Steve Fezzik

A Chess Candidate Master, later a Fellow in the Society Of Actuaries, and the Vice President for a Major Los Angeles Insurance Company from 1995-2001, Steve Fezzik has quite the resume. However, the real crowning achievement in Fezzik’s career is being considered the best NFL sports betting tournament player in the world.

In the 1990s, Fezzik would spend his weekends betting on football in Nevada, eventually making more on Saturday and Sunday than at his regular 9-to-5. After a decade of interstate betting success, Fezzik moved to Las Vegas in 2001, quickly becoming a superstar, winning six major sports betting tournaments, totaling nearly $1 million over the next decade.

In two of those sports betting tournaments, the 2008 and 2009 Las Vegas Hilton SuperConest, Fezzik beat out 300+ entrants to win back-to-back titles in what is commonly referred to as the World Series of Sports Betting. To this day, Fezzik is the only two-time winner.

Register with BetOnline and take advantage of their generous welcome bonus!

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

28/02/24

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

• Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor
• The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence
• Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options

9.8

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

2

1

Marco D’Angelo

While most professional bettors on our list got their start in sports betting, Marco D’Angelo earned a name for himself at the racetrack. Using his horse betting acumen, D’Angelo could easily pivot to sports betting, where he found great success. 

But that success didn’t come without some bumps along the way. Initially, D’Angelo failed to make a splash with his sports bets, leading him to create his own betting strategy. Using his percentage-based system, D’Angelo has become a font of betting knowledge for amateur bettors with a track record of success. 

Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos

From one high-stakes profession to another, Gadoon “Spanky” Kyrollos left a high-pressure Stock Market career for one in sports betting and never looked back. The Rutgers alum has since become one of the biggest names in the sports betting industry thanks partly to his website, SpankOdds.com. 

The idea was simple: create a website that crawls other sites with sportsbook odds and finds discrepancies. These discrepancies can then be used to help bettors place wagers on the best lines and also help understand what oddsmakers see in each contest. The idea is brilliant, and it helped launch Kyrollos into the stratosphere. “I always say I’m a computer scientist disguised as a sports bettor,” he said to the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2023. “I’m all about building software to be able to make life easier, and Spank Odds is one of them.”

Kyrollos built his career and bankroll off two strategies: middling and arbitrage betting. Middling is a strategy where a bettor places bets on both sides of a game at different lines, creating the opportunity to cash in both wagers. Arbitrage betting, also known as scalping, is based on betting on both sides of a game at plus prices with different sportsbooks for guaranteed profit. The entire strategy is based on identifying the house edge by line shopping point spreads and then making your betting decisions by taking advantage of that research.

Teddy “Covers” Sevransky

Six years after graduating from the University of Michigan, Teddy Sevransky, better known as Teddy Covers, moved to Las Vegas to become a full-time sports bettor. While other professional bettors on this list may have kept a lot of their success private, Sevransky has been a prominent figure in the sports betting world, primarily through the media. 

Sevransky’s writing has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Las Vegas Review-Journal, and Playboy magazine, while his TV highlights include CBS This Morning, CNBC, and PBS, to name a few. Bettors can also see Teddy Covers in action in the documentary “Life on the Line,” following Sevransky and other professional bettors maneuvering Las Vegas sportsbooks.

Sevransky is still an active pro bettor today. Teddy can be found selling picks to casual bettors on his website, where you can pay for more advanced advice, as well as offering odds analysis, shopping lines, and free picks on his YouTube channel.

Create an account with Bovada and bet on every big game. Their lucrative welcome bonus gives first time bettors a lot to be excited about!

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

08/02/24

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

• Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes
• Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters
• Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

3

Haralabos “Bob” Voulgaris

The only professional sports bettor on our list who owns a Spanish soccer club, Haralabos “Bob” Voulgaris has one of the most interesting non-sports betting resumes. Born in Canada to Greek immigrants, Voulgaris rose to notoriety betting on a single sport: the NBA. That’s it. Nothing else. No college football, no PGA Tour, no March Madness. The NBA was Voulgaris’ forte.

After graduating college, Voulgaris placed a single bet that changed his life. Bob took his life savings, $70,000, and placed it on the Los Angeles Lakers to win the 1999/2000 NBA Championship. That bet would prove successful, and Voulgaris would cash in his bet slip for almost 500,000. Over a decade later, ESPN would call Voulgaris the World’s “Top NBA Gambler.”

A savant when it came to poker and NBA betting, Voulgaris’s intensive research and keen eye for invisible advantages caught the attention of NBA owner and billionaire Mark Cuban. In 2018, the Dallas Mavericks hired Voulgaris as Director of Quantitative Research and Development. However, his stint with the Mavs would only last so a few years as a rift with Luka Doncic would eventually lead to his departure from the franchise.

Ben Patz

Ben “Parlay” Patz has been in the headlines these past few years, but not for good reasons. The famed parlay builder, known for massive payouts on double-digit team parlays, got into hot water after threatening DMs were sent from Patz to players ranging from Pepperdine basketball players to Atlanta Braves team members. Patz would receive a sentence of 36 months probation and was barred from any sports betting activities. 

Patz is somewhat of a cautionary tale of how being a pro sports bettor is about the long game, not the short-term successes. While Patz may be well-known for the negative side of his betting activities, there’s hope that he can return to the industry and make a positive change. 

Jimmy “The Greek” Snyder

Jimmy “the Greek” Snyder made a name for himself as a betting analyst and a commentator on The NFL Today in the 1980s. Snyder started betting almost 40 years prior when he bet $10,000 on the 1948 presidential election. Snyder claims to have bet on Truman, who had 17-1 odds, all because of his opponent’s mustache. According to Snyder, Dewey didn’t stand a chance because “American women didn’t trust men with a mustache.”

As a TV commentator, Snyder made the NFL Today appointment TV, as his picks were always well-researched and had a fantastic success rate. In a way, Snyder is partially responsible for bringing sports betting analysis into the mainstream, using his platform to bring betting concepts to the masses.

The Best Celebrity Sports Bettors of All Time

While the aforementioned professionals are regarded as the best, they aren’t the most famous names you’ll hear in a sportsbook. That distinction belongs to the following group of stars who have made sports betting their second career after making millions as professional athletes. But does success in a sport always translate into success at a sportsbook? We’ve already taken a look at the winnings and losing of Phil Mickelson’s big bets, but which professional athletes attempted to become professional gamblers?

Floyd Mayweather

Floyd Mayweather made his name by going undefeated in the ring and by betting hundreds of millions of dollars on sports. After all, you don’t earn the nickname “Money” by losing bets. 

Mayweather’s bet slip has featured some big names across the years, both in the ring, on the court, and the field. The boxing legend has won multiple millions betting on the Super Bowl and college games, reportedly making $1 million on Marcus Mariota’s Oregon Ducks during a midseason Pac-12 college football meetup with the Arizona Wildcats. Mayweather has also been known to roll his winnings into other bets immediately. Mayweather once took his college basketball winnings from a successful March Madness run and put it onto a fighter he believed in. After all, if you’re acing your college basketball bets in March, you might as well ride the hot hand.

However, the one thing Mayweather has made the most money betting on? Himself. Floyd Mayweather has made upwards of $750 million betting on himself to win in the ring. 

Get in on the action today with BetWhale’s wide range of betting markets and sporting events!

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

08/02/24

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

• Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds
• 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak
• Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

0

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan’s love of gambling is well-documented. Air Jordan loved a good wager, whether it was during his career, on the golf course, or even in the Chicago Bulls’ locker room ahead of basketball games. 

In 1993, when rumors of his gambling became widespread, Jordan took to the airwaves in an interview with Ahmad Rashad and put himself on the record. According to his Airness, MJ didn’t have a gambling problem; he had a “competition problem.” That “competition problem” led Jordan to rack up a debt of $300,000 from wagers made on the golf course. 

In the documentary series, “The Last Dance” which chronicled Michael Jordan’s career with Chicago, as well as his foray into Major League Baseball and the final season of the Jordan Bulls, Michael can be seen “pitching pennies” with security guard John Michael Wozniak. Although Wozniak beat Jordan (and hit MJ’s iconic shrug pose too), it’s unclear whether or not Michael could win back his money in the end. It just goes to show that even the most successful bettors lose now and then!

Pete Rose

Shoeless Joe Jackson and Pete Rose are probably the two names most sports fans think of when it comes to betting on baseball. While Jackson was banned from the sport for life following the Black Sox Scandal that saw them throw the World Series, Rose lost even more once his betting allegations surfaced. 

Pete Rose, the all-time hit leader in MLB history, was banned for life after it was revealed that he regularly bet on games he managed. At the time of the MLB’s investigation, Rose denied betting on baseball but did admit to betting on horse racing, basketball, and football. The Dowd Report, which outlined MLB’s findings from their Rose investigation, found that admission to be untruthful. The report noted that Rose bet on 52 Reds games, with an average daily wager of $10,000. To Rose’s credit, the Dowd Report noted a lack of evidence that he bet against the Reds while managing them. 

In recent years, the public perception around Pete Rose’s lifetime ban has flipped, with more fans calling for his recognition. As for Rose’s role in the legal sports betting industry? He’s never been more involved. It was the Cincinnati Reds legend himself who placed the first legal sports bet in Ohio. 

Wayne Rooney

Only two men have scored more Premier League goals than Wayne Rooney. So it comes as no surprise that Rooney also loved scoring off the pitch, thanks to a love of sports betting. “I was a young lad who’d just come into a lot of money,” Rooney would say years after his United playing days were over. Noting a tone of free time with little else to do, Rooney would place bets from his hotel room over the phone. 

“It was easy to place bets by phone. It didn’t feel like real money,” the English legend said. “It wasn’t like I had to go into a bookie’s and put bets where there are limits.” 

Those early losses piled up and soon Rooney began emotively betting, something he now speaks out on. Rooney has taken part in multiple responsible gambling initiatives, even with sportsbook operators who were sponsors of the football clubs he played on! He may not have been our list’s most successful sports bettor, but he’s one of the biggest names.

Charles Barkley

Michael Jordan wasn’t the only NBA legend with a penchant for betting in the 1990s. Charles Barkley, the “Round Mound of Rebound” began betting on sports in the 1980s when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns. 

While we don’t know what his sport of choice was (his alma mater is well-known for its college football prowess), we do know that Barkley lost more than $1 million in a single day on multiple occasions. So, although he’s a professional sports analyst, this NBA star might not be a professional gambler from whom to take sports betting tips.

Professional Sports Betting Secrets and Tips

Each of the biggest sports bettors we’ve featured has their weapon of choice when determining their wagers. These tips and secrets don’t come easy, but they can lead to success once implemented. Here are a few sports betting tips and secrets our experts have extracted from researching our professional gambling icons.

Effective Bankroll Management

The best sports bettors understand that the only game that matters is the bankroll numbers game. Without a growing bankroll, bettors can assume they aren’t getting the wins they need from their bets. After all, if you’re breaking even you haven’t begun to start winning.

This is where bankroll management comes in. Knowing the precise amount to wager when placing bets to ensure your bankroll grows is something all of our pro bettors understand. It’s never about the game you’re betting on, it’s about making sure you’re money is growing with every win.

In-Depth Research Ahead of Time

If you’re a bettor who enjoys betting on one set of odds of one game with an offshore sportsbook, you’ll still be doing a fair amount of research ahead of time. But all sporting events have their own set of variables, and each one may contain a nugget of insight into how things will shake out.

The very basic idea of this concept is looking at a player or team’s home and away splits. Some basketball players play better with certain teammates or hit certain metrics when coming off the bench. Some teams cannot play in cold weather. This research can help you read a point spread better or lead you to better player props. This type of game information can be the difference between winning by one point or losing by 20.

Discipline and Separating Your Mind From Your Money

Week 5 in the NFL season shouldn’t feel like the Super Bowl to bettors. The key to keeping a clear head about the money you’re wagering and your betting strategy. Your research and strategy should lead your betting odds selection, not emotion. This is the main pitfall for bettors. If you want to become a pro, you need to come to terms with the fact that this is your livelihood and you’re self-employed, so you need to stay disciplined and keep your heart out of your bet slip.

Responsible Gambling

Betting on anything is obviously risky; even the pros know that. After all, not all of us have multi-million dollar contracts to fall back on. If your betting habits become overwhelming, know that you’re not alone and there are resources out there that can help. Responsible gambling is the key to a positive wagering experience!

We recommend contacting the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER if your betting gets out of hand. You can also find more information by visiting the official website or speaking to customer support at your preferred betting site!

Related Sports Betting Guides

• Best New Sportsbooks
• Best Boxing Betting Sites
• Best NFL Betting Sites
• Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
• Best eSports Betting Sites
• Best Live Betting Sites

Professional Sports Bettor FAQs

The post Professional Sports Bettors – How to Wager Like a Sports Betting Pro appeared first on ReadWrite.

You’ll stumble across a seemingly endless selection of sports betting terms when backing your favorite teams online. Understanding these terms is crucial, as it lets you make more informed bet selections and makes it easier to identify value in published odds.

Below, we’ve broken down the most commonly used sports betting jargon and terminology, providing a succinct definition for each one. We’ve done this alphabetically too, so you can quickly browse the list and define the betting slang and terms that are most relevant to you!

List of Sports Betting Terms

A

Accumulator

An accumulator describes a sports bet that includes two or more selections in a single wager. Each outcome’s odds are multiplied to create a single, extended price, while each pick must be successful for the wager to pay out. An accumulator may be described as a parlay in the US market.

Action

The word ‘Action’ is used to describe any live wagering option or the total amount bet on a particular event. Sportsbooks accept ‘action’ on all of their published betting lines and odds.

Across the Board

Commonly used in horse racing betting, ‘Across the Board’ describes a wager that covers three potential outcomes in a race. Also known as a ‘Win, Place and Show’ bet, you’ll receive variable payouts depending on whether your chosen runner finishes first, second or third.

AET Odds

This is primarily associated with live soccer betting markets, and stands for ‘After Extra Time’. Standard odds for soccer games cover regulation time only, but cup and knockout games may feature a period of extra time to ensure a definitive result. AET odds price all potential results and outcomes at the end of this period.

Alternative Betting Lines

Alternative betting lines can be found across multiple markets, and featured prices may be higher or lower than the main moneyline odds. You’ll most commonly find alternative betting lines when engaging in point spread and totals betting.

American Odds

American odds describes a popular odds format that’s defined by three digit numbers with either a ‘plus’ or a ‘minus’ sign. A plus sign indicates a betting underdog, while the corresponding number (such as +107) tells you how much you’ll win if you successfully stake $100. A minus sign is indicative of a betting favorite, while the number (like -101) relays how much you’ll need to wager to win $100.

Ante-Post

Synonymous with horse race betting, ante-post prices are effectively futures odds published for upcoming races. Ante post odds are published at least one day prior to a particular race, while they’re commonly found on high profile events such as the Kentucky Derby.

Anytime Scorer

This is one of the more common sports betting terms used in soccer. It describes a betting market that enables you to back a player to score at any point during a particular game, while it’s available as either a pre-game or in-play wagering option.

Asian Handicap

Another common feature in the soccer betting dictionary, an ‘Asian Handicap’ allows you to apply a virtual disadvantage to a heavy betting favorite and back them to win at enhanced prices. Asian handicaps as they eliminate the draw as a potential outcome through the use of half points, while they commonly start at -0.25 goals.

Against the Spread (ATS)

Against the Spread (or ATS) describes a scenario where you place a bet on a particular points spread. Spreads are predetermined points ranges (such as -3.5) that may be used to handicap heavy betting favorites and create more favorable betting odds. Sportsbooks set various points spreads as individual betting lines that you’ll be able to choose from.

Arbitrage (ARB)

Often shortened to ‘ARB’, arbitrage betting is a wagering strategy that aims to cover all potential outcomes in a specific game. An example of this is matched betting in soccer, where you use a free bet to lay a back bet against a betting favorite at an exchange and guarantee at least an incremental profit.

B

Backdoor Cover

This sports betting term describes an instance where a betting favorite or underdog is trailing by more than your designated points spread but subsequently scores points late on to cover the spread and cost you your stake. However, this score has no impact on the result of the actual game.

Bad Beat

More broadly speaking, a ‘Bad Beat’ refers to a late (and often unlikely) play or event that affects either your points spread or totals wager in the final seconds of a match. A backdoor cover is a type of bad beat.

Bankroll

A bankroll describes a sum of money that you set aside for the purpose of sports betting. This may be deposited into your sportsbook account and should cover a designated period of time, depending on how frequently you wager.

Bankroll Management

Bankroll management refers to the organization and deployment of your sports betting budget. This may include setting deposit and wagering limits, in addition to seeking out the most competitive odds. As a fundamental rule, your bankroll should never exceed an amount that you can comfortably afford to lose.

Bet

One of the most straightforward of all gambling terms, a bet describes the act of wagering money at a sportsbook, casino, racebook or poker room. Sports bet may be placed on available disciplines, events and matches.

Betting Strategy

A betting strategy will describe any kind of deliberate plan or approach to deploy your bankroll. It may focus on elements such as setting optimal stake amounts and gaining a competitive advantage over sportsbooks. You’ll find significant crossover between your bankroll management and betting strategy.

Bookmaker (Bookie)

Bookmakers (also called bookies or sportsbooks) are licensed entities that set daily odds and betting lines across different markets. They also accept bets and issue payouts to bettors who wager successfully.

Buy Points

When you ‘buy points’ in sports betting, you’re effectively accessing a superior point spread in exchange for a higher stake. In theory, this affords you the chance to cover one or more additional betting lines in the point spread, while your financial commitment will increase with every point that you buy.

Register with BetOnline and take advantage of their generous welcome bonus!

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

28/02/24

50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000

• Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor
• The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence
• Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options

9.8

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

2

1

C

Circled Game

Injuries and suspensions can have a huge impact on sports outcomes and results. So, a ‘circled game’ refers to a match where sportsbooks may reduce their betting limits or options amid reports of one competing team reporting a significant number of injuries.

Chalk

In sports betting parlance, ‘chalk’ describes a heavy and significant betting favorite. For example, a team favored with a huge point spread would most likely be referred to as chalk.

Closing Line Value

The ‘Closing Line Value’ (CLV) describes the difference between an event’s starting odds and final price as the match or tournament gets underway. It can be incredibly useful when defining your profitability as a bettor and whether or not you’re able to beat the market.

Commission

When sportsbooks calculate odds, they often guarantee an incremental profit per betting line by charging a commission. This may also be referred to as the ‘juice’ or ‘vig’, while it’s usual for sportsbooks to apply a 10% commission per individual transaction.

Correct Score

With ‘correct score’ betting, you’ll wager on the exact score in a particular match. This wagering market is most popular in football betting, which is considered to be a high-risk bet type that allows you to bet at enhanced odds.

Cover/Cover the Spread

When you ‘cover the spread’, your points spread wager has been successful. For example, if you backed the 49ers to beat the Chiefs with a -10.5-point spread and they subsequently won 32-21, you’d beat the spread and receive a payout.

D

Decimal Odds

The decimal odds format is widely used in Europe, which features a single number to two decimal places. This relays precisely how much you can win for every $1 wagered (including your stake amount), while the format makes it easy to calculate the implied probability of a particular outcome occurring.

Double Action

‘Double Action’ describes a wager that includes multiple selections and is similar to a parlay. However, it must include two or more teams that are required to play at different times, while it may also be described as an ‘if’ bet.

Draw

In sports like soccer, the ‘draw’ describes a scenario where a game ends in a tie. It, therefore, has to be factored into your thinking when betting on football matches, although the draw is not a realistic consideration when wagering on basketball, football, or rugby.

Drift

In pre-game or ante-post markets, prices tend to change prior to the start of an event. When the odds of a particular team or player lengthen, they’re said to have ‘drifted.’ While this theoretically increases your potential returns, it often occurs because significantly more money has been placed on alternative competitors. Prices may also drift as new information comes to light.

E

Each Way

An each-way bet comprises two separate wagers: namely, a ‘win’ bet and a ‘place’ bet. So, you can split your stake between these two outcomes and simultaneously back your pick to win and place. It’s most common in horse racing betting, while runners typically have to finish in the top four for a place wager to pay out.

Edge

In casino and sports betting, there’s such a thing as a ‘house edge’. However, you may also seek out a competitive edge over sportsbooks, typically through strategies such as arbitrage betting, carrying out extensive analysis, and the strategic use of free bets.

Even Money

When you successfully leverage an even money bet or market, you’ll bank winnings that are equal to your stake amount. For example, if you were to bet on the outcome of a coin toss before a cricket match, the odds would be +100 for heads and +100 for tails. This may also be referred to as ‘50-50’ betting.

Exotic

An exotic bet may be placed on in-game events and outcomes that aren’t directly related to the final outcome. The most common iteration is prop bets. For example, you could wager on a player completing a specific number of rebounds in an NBA game or the identity of the top points scorer in a particular game.

Exposure

In sports betting, ‘exposure’ describes the amount of money you or a sportsbook could potentially lose on any given wager. Bookies may also calculate their total exposure based on the volume of bets placed on a specific event.

F

Favorite

In sports betting terminology, the ‘favorite’ describes a team or player most fancied to win a match or event. You can back betting favorites through pre-game and in-play markets, although the published odds may not be as competitive when wagering in real-time.

Field

In betting terms, the field describes the listed competitors in a tournament, league or race. It’s most commonly used to discuss the runners in horse racing betting, while larger fields typically help you access enhanced ante-post odds.

First Half Bet

In sports like soccer and football, games are split into two halves. So, a ‘First Half Bet’ describes wagers that are placed during the first 45 minutes of a soccer game or 30 minutes of an NFL match. For example, you may back the score at the end of the first half or pick both sides to score during this period.

Fixed Odds

Fixed odds describe prices that are predetermined and locked into place when you execute your wager. Therefore, you’re able to calculate your return if your pick is successful accurately!

Fractional Odds

This odds format is often seen in the UK, featuring two numbers separated by a slash. The first number relays how much you can potentially win in relation to the second, which describes your stake amount. So, if you successfully bet $10 at odds of 5/1, you’ll bank $50 exclusive of your stake.

Futures

Futures bets may also be described as outright wagers, while they describe bets that are placed on the winner of a particular league or tournament. This includes wagers on the winner of events such as the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup or NBA finals, while futures bets may be placed on events that are either upcoming or scheduled for the distant future.

G

Graded Bet

If you hear the terminology ‘graded bet’, this describes a wager that has been officially declared as a winner or loser (or a push once the match has started). More commonly, this may be referred to as a ‘settled bet’.

H

Handicap (Handicapping)

This sports betting term is often used interchangeably with point spreading, as it allows you to attribute a goals or points disadvantage or a betting favorite and wager at enhanced odds. Conversely, you can apply a goals or points advantage to a betting underdog, unlocking further price benefits in the future.

Handle

When people discuss the wider gambling market, the ‘handle’ is one of the most commonly used sports betting terms. This refers to the total amount of money that has been wagered by bettors, either on a specific event or during a financial reporting period.

Hedge

In sports betting, ‘hedging’ describes the process of placing two or more bets on a single event. Often, you’ll place a wager that directly opposes your initial bet, in order to cover all potential match outcomes. This can guarantee a profit in instances where you use free bets.

Home Field Advantage

Home field advantage describes the innate advantage that teams have when they play in front of their own fans. This varies from one sport to another, but it’s highly prevalent and a key factor in how outcomes are priced. For context, approximately 59% of NHL games are won by the home side, while this figure drops to 57.6% in the NFL.

Hook

The ‘hook’ is an underused sports betting term, and one that describes a half point. For example, you may choose to ‘buy’ the hook in a spread, creating a small advantage in exchange for an additional financial commitment. For example, if you did back the 49ers at -10.5 in the spread, buying the hook would turn that into a -10 handicap.

Create an account with Bovada and bet on every big game. Their lucrative welcome bonus gives first time bettors a lot to be excited about!

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

08/02/24

$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus

• Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes
• Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters
• Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

3

I

If Bet

An ‘if’ bet enables you to combine between two and six bets in a single wager, just as you would in a parlay. However, these wagers are placed conditionally and across staged events, with each bet dependent on the result of your previous pick.

In-Play Betting

In-play betting describes wagers that are placed in real-time and during a specific game. Otherwise referred to as ‘live betting’, this unlocks a huge range of markets and micro bets and is characterized by fluctuating odds.

J

Juice

The term ‘Juice’ can be used interchangeably with both commission and vigorish in the field of sports betting. This is usually around 10% and is a key factor in determining published odds, ensuring that bookies bank at least a nominal profit on every wager placed.

L

Laying Points

If you ‘lay’ points in sports betting, you’re effectively wagering on a favorite. For example, a bet placed on the 49ers as a -3.5 favorite means that you’re laying 3.5 points. In this instance, the 49ers are required to win by at least four points for your wager to trigger a payout.

Limit

There are minimum and maximum limits applied in sports betting, on everything from welcome bonus T&Cs to individual wagers. Often, maximum limits are applied to specific games and sporting events, as this helps sportsbooks to manage their losses and maintain profitability across the board.

Line

A ‘line’ or ‘betting line’ refers to the odds published by a sportsbook in relation to a particular event. Typically, games and competitions will unlock multiple lines, including moneylines, point spreads and totals.

Live Betting

The term ‘live betting’ may be used interchangeably with in-play wagering and covers all wagers placed during a specific match. You’ll typically find thousands of live betting markets online, especially when wagering on high-profile sports such as basketball, football, and baseball.

Lock

A ‘lock’ is a term that tipsters may use. It describes so-called “certain winners” while it may be deployed to tempt bettors into wagering or buying handicapping advice. A lock is certainly a guaranteed winner in the eyes of the person who places the bet!

Longshot

‘Longshot’ is the colloquial term for underdog, and describes a team, player or runner who’s an unlikely winner. You can usually back longshots at extended prices, but these contenders are usually significantly inferior to their opponents.

M

March Madness

Whenever basketball betting is explained, you may stumble across the term ‘March Madness’. This describes the time of year when the annual men’s and women’s NCAA Division I basketball tournaments get underway. You’ll often access March Madness betting pools at online sportsbooks, alongside enhanced moneylines and point spreads.

Moneyline

This is arguably the most common of sports betting terms. It also describes the most straightforward type of sports wager, which requires you to back the winner or outcome of a particular game.

N

Nap

Interestingly, the word ‘nap’ in this instance is derived from the card game Napoleon. A nap bet describes a wager that’s your best of the day, and has similarities to a lock. This may also describe someone else’s best bet and one you’re encouraged to replicate.

Novelty Bets

Sportsbooks tend to cover multiple markets outside of professional and collegiate sports. So, a novelty bet describes wagers that are placed on random events in entertainment and politics, such as Oscar winners or the identity of the next US president. The term may also be expanded to include or bespoke or special sports bets.

O

Odds

Odds are the prices and betting lines set by sportsbooks on specific matches and events. There are various factors that contribute to the setting of odds, while prices are also liable to change in the build-up to and even during an event.

Odds-on Favorite

This term describes a short price favorite, and typically carries short and low value odds. The term is synonymous with the fractional odds format, but prices shorter than 2.00 (decimal odds and -101 (American odds) may also be categorized as being ‘odds-on’.

Outright Betting

This term may be used interchangeably with futures betting, and it describes the process of backing the winner of a future event or tournament. This may unlock highly competitive prices, depending on the size of the competing field and the number of likely winners.

Over/Under Betting

Over/under markets are synonymous with specific games’ points, goals, or run totals. Usually, sportsbooks will present various points totals as individual betting lines, each of which has its own unique odds. You’ll then select your preferred betting line and wager on whether the total will be over or under this threshold.

P

Parlay

A parlay describes any single wager that features two or more selections. The odds of each pick are then multiplied to create a single, enhanced price, while every selection will have to win if you receive a payout.

Payout

This describes the amount you’ll bank when placing a winning wager. Your stake amount and your bet odds determine it. For example, if you successfully place a $100 single wager on Manchester City to win the Champions League (at decimal odds of 3.25), you’ll bank $325 inclusive of your initial bet.

Pick ‘Em

A ‘pick ‘em’ wager is a two-way contest where both competing sides or players have exactly equal odds to prevail. With this type of wager, there’s no point spread to consider, so you’ll simply have to pick which contender you think will win.

Power Rankings

If you see the term ‘Power Rankings’ referenced in a sports betting glossary, this describes specific ratings used by both experts and bettors to identify the best-performing teams or players over time. Pundits regularly release weekly NFL player rankings, for example, in order to help inform match or futures wagers.

Post Time

The post time describes the scheduled start time of a horse race. Horse races are considered to be “at the post” just as soon as all of them are loaded into the relevant starting gate.

Price

This betting term is used interchangeably with odds and is set by the bookmaker in relation to every single event and betting line.

Proposition Bet

A proposition or ‘prop’ bet is an exotic wager related to individual or collective performances during matches. Player props may be associated with the number of points or rebounds recorded in an NBA game or the identity of the next goalscorer in a soccer match. You’ll find hundreds of prop bets associated with high-profile games like the Super Bowl.

Public Money

This describes the amount of money staked by the general public on a specific betting line or event. This offers an insight into betting volumes and who bettors are backing to win a match or competition!

Puck Line

This sports betting term is synonymous with hockey wagering. More specifically, it describes the point spread in hockey, with favorites often posted with a spread of -1.5 goals while the underdogs receive +1.5 goals from sportsbooks.

Push

This describes any wager on an event that subsequently ends in a tie. For example, if your NFL spread is -11 and the final result is 32-21 in favor of your pick, your wager is categorized as a ‘push’ and your initial stake is refunded.

Get in on the action today with BetWhale’s wide range of betting markets and sporting events!

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

08/02/24

125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports

• Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds
• 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak
• Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads

9.7

NO CODE REQUIRED

Play Now

Learn More

Close Learn More

0

0

Q

Quarter Bet

This is commonly associated with NBA and NFL wagering. It’s a bet type that can be placed before or during any quarter of a match and usually focuses on the winner of that particular quarter. Moneylines, point spreads, and totals wagers popular quarter bets, although odds are liable to fluctuate widely in play.

R

Recreational Bettor

A recreational or casual bettor is someone who bets nominal amounts and infrequently on sporting outcomes. Stakes committed by recreational bettors count towards public money totals, while this type of gambler is the polar opposite of a sharp or professional operator.

ROI

This stands for ‘return on investment’, and in the case of sports betting, it describes the amount that you win in relation to your stake. This can be calculated on individual bets or across multiple wagers during a specified period of time.

Run Line

The ‘run line’ describes the point spread in baseball. Like the puck line in hockey, favorites are usually posted with a spread of -1.5 runs, while the underdog is awarded +1.5 runs at the outset. If you access run lines in-play, you’ll see that odds fluctuate as the game unfolds.

S

Sell Points

When you ‘sell points’ on a betting favorite, you’re effectively wagering on them winning by more points than the fixed betting line. If you sell points on an underdog, you’re backing them to either lose by a smaller margin than the spread or potentially win by a nominal amount (such as one goal or 3.5 points).

Sharp

A sharp is a bettor who’s informed and has a track record of success in sports wagering. A sharp may also be a professional bettor, but this won’t be the case often. Sharps also operate in other betting verticals, such as casino and poker.

Spread Betting

With spread betting, you’ll typically use different point spreads to level the playing field and back short-priced favorites at enhanced odds. This is also referred to as ‘handicap’ wagering.

Stake

This describes the amount that you’ll bet on a particular outcome. Along with the odds at which you wager, your stake amount will also determine your payout if your pick is successful.

Straight Bet

A ‘straight’ bet describes any single wager placed on a money line, spread, or points total.

T

Teaser

Bookmakers offer teaser odds to entice bettors and increase wagering activity around a specific event. Typically, this involves creating enhanced betting lines for favorites, while players can also tease odds by accessing alternate lines or parlays markets.

Tipster

A tipster is someone with betting expertise who offers advice ahead of specific events. Many specialize in specific sports, while they may offer advice independently or through a reputable betting site.

U

Underdog

‘Underdog’ is the sports betting term given to teams or players who aren’t expected to win a match or competition. You can usually bet on underdogs to win at enhanced odds, as there’s a low implied probability of them prevailing.

Units

In sports betting, a ‘unit’ describes the percentage of the total bankroll you’re willing to risk on a particular bet. You can increase your betting unit when wagering on short-price favorites that have a high implied probability of winning.

V

Vigorish

Also referred to as ‘Juice’ or ‘Commission’, this describes the premium sportsbooks apply to individual odds. This guarantees at least some profit, while the vigorish is usually charged at around 10%.

W

Wager

Wager is another word for bet and describes the action of staking money on specific lines, events, and markets.

Responsible Gambling

Of course, responsible gambling is also one of the most important sports betting term, especially for online bettors. Remember, sports betting of any description requires you to incur the risk of loss, while there’s no such thing as a surefire winner in any discipline!

The good news is that you can take steps to wager responsibly as a bettor. Firstly, you should never wager any more than you can comfortably afford to lose, while we’d also recommend using tools like deposit limits to manage your bankroll over a specific timeframe.

But what do you do in instances where you find yourself betting outside of your means (or wagering with increased frequency)? Well, your first port of call should be to contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-GAMBLER, as this can provide advice and practical support.

You can also visit the organization’s official website online, to find out more about gambling addiction and its potential harms.

Sports Betting Terms FAQs

The post Sports Betting Terms Glossary – Betting Terms From A to Z Explained appeared first on ReadWrite.

Sportsbook promos and bonuses are excellent opportunities to boost your winnings when you bet on football, basketball, soccer, and more. Legal sports betting can be unpredictable, and an online sportsbook bonus can give you the boost you need. You might collect a bonus for making your first deposit, completing a milestone, or being loyal to a platform. To save you time, we gathered the best betting bonuses available right now.

The Best Sportsbook Promos Currently Available

• All
• Crypto Sportsbook
• Telegram Betting

BetOnline Sports US	50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000	50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000 Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options	9.8 BetOnline Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Bovada Sports US	$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus	$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X	9.7 Bovada Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetWhale Sports US	125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports	125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads	9.7 BetWhale Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
TG Casino Sports US	Instant 200% Bonus Up to 10ETH	Instant 200% Bonus Up to 10ETH Exclusively on Telegram Messenger, offering fully anonymous betting with no KYC Transact seamlessly using the platform's $TGC token $TGC toke provides privacy as well as a 10 ETH bonus for high rollers	9.7 TG Casino Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Everygame Sports US	Up to $5,555 Welcome Package	Up to $5,555 Welcome Package Improved live betting with multiscreen technology, multiview and halftime betting Promotions exclusive to parlay betting, like Parlay Prince and Parlay Free Bets Direct SMS delivery of exclusive sports offers to bettors	9.8 Everygame Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetUS Sports US	125% Sign Up Bonus + Up to 30 Risk Free Bets	125% Sign Up Bonus + Up to 30 Risk Free Bets Nearly 30 years of experience in the North American market Exclusive sports blogs, picks and previews from The Locker Room and BetUS-TV Sports contests with free entries like Ironman, 12th Man and Gridiron Guru	9.6 BetUS Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
MyBookie Sports US		Reload bonuses & 8% racebook rebates + risk-free bets & odds boosts via VIP+ Contests for NFL/NBA/NCAAF betting, including Survivor and Squares MyBookie VIP treatment with 24/7 support, top bonuses, and bigger bets	9.6 MyBookie Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetNow Sports US	200% Crypto Bonus	200% Crypto Bonus Up to 25% in re-up bonuses when adding funds Bitcoin and Bitcoin cash payment require a minimum deposit of $10 2% rebate on sportbook losses, 10% rebate on racebooks	9.6 BetNow Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Jazz Sports US	125% Welcome Bonus + Contest Starting Kit	125% Welcome Bonus + Contest Starting Kit Racebook with exclusive bonus covering US and international racing Prop builder with a risk free $25 bet and risk-free live betting Regular Pick'em & Survivor for NBA, NFL, NCAA, and more	9.5 Jazz Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Sportsbetting US	Double Your Money Up to $500 on Your First 2 Deposits	Double Your Money Up to $500 on Your First 2 Deposits High betting limits and seamless re-bet options, perfect for high rollers Access to the earliest lines with top-tier odds Sports reload bonus of 25% and ongoing promotions for registered bettors	9.7 Sportsbetting US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED

Show More Offers+

Top Sportsbooks & Promotions Reviewed

Sportsbook betting is all about timing, and you don’t want to miss out on a good opportunity because you have to jump from site to site to find the best promotion. We’ve done all the work for you and will provide you with everything you need to know about these operators and their generous sportsbook promos and sports betting bonuses.

Mega Dice – Best For Crypto Payments

• Website: www.megadice.com
• Established: 2023
• Deposit methods: Visa/MasterCard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, cryptos, wire transfer

Promotions & Bonuses: 4.9/5

Mega Dice has a variety of promotions and bonuses for its sportsbook. Since it’s a newer sportsbook and casino, Mega Dice offers crypto-specific bonuses. Currently, you can collect a 200% deposit bonus of up to 1 BTC, with no sportsbook bonus code required.

This means that upon your first deposit, you can receive a 200% match up to 1 BTC, which is about $27,000 in value. The minimum deposit for this offer is the crypto equivalent of $20.

This exact amount may change depending on the value of the cryptocurrency you use. Mega Dice allows the following cryptocurrencies: BTC, USDTE, LTC, DOGE, ETH, BNB, SOL, BCH, USDTT, TRX, XRP, ADA, and USDC.

Existing Customer Rewards: 4.7/5

In addition to this initial sportsbook bonus, you can unlock rewards as an existing customer. Mega Dice offers weekly bonuses, such as the Monday Reload. We liked this bonus because it offers a match of your Monday deposit, with a 30% bonus if you deposit between $50 and $199.

A 40% bonus is available with a deposit between $200 and $599, and a 50% bonus with a deposit between $500 and $1,000. Exceeding a $1,000 deposit gives a fixed bonus of $500.

Promo Requirements: 4.7/5

To collect any sportsbook bonus, you have to meet certain requirements. To be eligible for Mega Dice’s 200% first deposit bonus, you have to make this deposit within 30 days of opening your account.

After an initial deposit is made, new users using a sportsbook bonus code will have 14 days to meet the wagering requirement attached to each of the sportsbook promotions.

Payment Methods: 4.8/5

Mega Dice is a crypto casino and sportsbook, so it accepts a wide variety of cryptocurrencies. Specifically, it is one of the best casinos for Bitcoin. Mega Dice supports most major cryptocurrencies as well.

However, for those who prefer standard money, Mega Dice also supports various traditional banking methods. We found they support debit and credit cards, bank transfers, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Our Verdict: 4.8/5

Mega Dice offers a variety of excellent bonuses and sportsbook promotions, especially if you prefer cryptocurrency. With standard wagering requirements and generous bonuses, there is a lot to gain from this platform. Though this is a newly established casino and sportsbook, Mega Dice is quickly making a name for itself as one of the best casinos that support cryptocurrency.

This is a mobile-friendly site with 24/7 customer support. It offers high payouts, fast withdrawals, and custom bet opportunities.

BetOnline – Best for New Sports Bettors

• Website: www.betonline.ag
• Established: 2004
• Deposit methods: Cryptocurrencies, credit cards, money orders, wire transfers

Promotions & Bonuses: 4.8/5

BetOnline offers many bonuses and promotions whether you’re a new or experienced player. However, their bonus for new sports bettors is a particularly good opportunity. Currently, BetOnline offers a 50% deposit bonus up to $1,000 on your first deposit with code BET1000.

Even if you have already made deposits for the BetOnline casino, you can receive this bonus on your first deposit for the sportsbook. This is a great boost for beginner sports bettors. The platform supports this bonus on the BetOnline desktop site as well as the app available on iOS and Android devices.

Existing Customer Rewards: 4.9/5

BetOnline offers rewards even if you’re an existing customer. Unfortunately, they are few and far between compared to the offers new customers get. One of the other popular bonuses from BetOnline is its crypto bonus.

We found that when we make a crypto deposit for the first time, we could earn a 100% match up to $1,000. For example, if you make your first crypto deposit valued at $1,000, you can double that number and have $2,000 if you meet the rollover requirements.

The code for this is CRYPTO100. If you want to test out the casino in addition to the sportsbook, there is a 100% casino deposit bonus as well that applies to your first three casino bonuses.

Promo Requirements: 4.6/5

Before you can access any bonuses, you must meet minimum deposit and rollover requirements. To qualify for the 50% sportsbook new account bonus, you must make a minimum deposit of $55. Additionally, you must meet the 10x rollover requirement. This is a low rollover requirement compared to other offers on this list. Note that the free play you earn is only available for 30 days before it expires. You must use any existing free play before claiming new free play.

For the crypto bonus, there is a 14x rollover requirement, which is higher than the new user bonus but still lower than requirements at many other casinos and sportsbooks.

Payment Methods: 4.8/5

BetOnline offers a combination of traditional banking methods and new payment options like cryptocurrency. We made deposits and withdrawals using credit cards, money orders, or wire transfers when going the traditional route.

For cryptocurrency, you can choose between Bitcoin, ApeCoin, Avalanche, Binance Coin, Cardano, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Polygon, Ripple, Shiba Inu, Solana, Stellar, Tether, and Tron.

If you use a credit card as your deposit method, there is a 9.75% fee, so you might find crypto deposits give you the most bang for your buck.

Our Verdict: 4.8/5

While BetOnline doesn’t offer as many bonuses as some of its competitors, we found the promotions it does offer to be high-quality. These bonuses reward new members for trying games and payment methods they haven’t before. Additionally, the low rollover requirements make the generous offers accessible.

BetOnline offers live betting on popular sports events, including basketball, baseball, soccer, and esports. We also explored its prop betting option. This allows you to bet on specific events happening during sports games, rather than just their outcomes.

Additionally, we found its parlay betting option to be a great opportunity if you want to combine several wagers onto one ticket for higher payouts.

Everygame – Best for Casual Sports Bettors

• Website: everygame.eu
• Established: 1996
• Deposit methods: credit cards, bank transfers, cryptocurrency, bank checks, money orders, wire transfers

Promotions & Bonuses: 4.8/5

If you’re a first-time sportsbook bettor, Everygame has an excellent welcome bonus to get you started. This platform offers a 100% bonus of up to $500 when you make your first sportsbook deposit.

Regardless, this gives you more funds to wager with, and therefore collect, higher earnings. You can collect this bonus with the sportsbook bonus code PREDICTEM.

Existing Customer Rewards: 4.9/5

Everygame’s sportsbook bonuses don’t end with your first deposit. The 100% welcome bonus applies to your first three deposits. We were also impressed by the free bets Everygame offers existing customers, along with bonuses for certain sporting events. For example, we discovered several parlay bonuses.

Everygame offers a $1,000 bonus if you net the highest profit from a single parlay bet. Every week, Everygame gives a $50 bonus to 20 random bettors who made the wrong parlay pick. Finally, there is a monthly contest that rewards you with a $500 bonus if you’re the parlay player with the highest total odds.

Promo Requirements: 4.7/5

Everygame has very low rollover requirements compared to its competitors, making it a stand-out sportsbook for accessible bonuses and promotions. The 100% sportsbook welcome bonus has a 4x rollover requirement, which is less than the industry average.

The minimum deposit for this bonus is just $20. The parlay bonuses mentioned above have no rollover requirements. These low rollover and deposit requirements make this an ideal choice for casual bettors.

Payment Methods: 4.7/5

We were impressed by the variety of traditional and crypto banking options and payment methods Everygame offers. It accepts all major credit and debit cards, bank checks, wire transfers, money orders, and person-to-person transactions.

The cryptocurrencies Everygame supports are limited compared to some of the newer online sportsbooks, but it still offers Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Bitcoin Cash.

For each withdrawal method, the transfer takes two to three days to complete. As for deposits, the minimum and maximum vary depending on the method you choose.

Our Verdict: 4.7/5

Everygame has some of the best and most accessible sportsbook promos in the game. Between its variety of new user bonuses and bonuses for existing customers and its low rollover requirements, you can almost certainly qualify for its promotions. Since the deposit minimums and rollover requirements are some of the lowest in the industry, Everygame is an ideal option for casual bettors.

Everygames’ sportsbook offers a variety of sports. Everygame supports major sports, but also more niche sports like cricket, darts, and handball. It offers moneyline, props, and futures betting options.

If you want to play casino games between sports tournaments, Everygame also offers an array of casino games, including table games, slots, and live dealer games.

BetNow – Best for High Rollers

• Website: www.betnow.eu
• Established: 2015
• Deposit methods: credit cards and cryptocurrency

Promotions & Bonuses: 4.7/5

BetNow offers great bonuses for existing and new customers. One of its stand-out bonuses is its reload bonus, which rewards 15%, 20%, or 25% up to $500. The corresponding sportsbook promo codes are REUP15, REUP20, and REUP25. These bonuses are especially helpful for high rollers (players who make large deposits and place higher bets). The more you deposit, the more you can gain from this bonus offer. However, we found these bonuses favorable even if you don’t want to bet big.

As for new players, BetNow has a 100% first deposit bonus of up to $1,000.

Existing Customer Rewards: 4.6/5

The reload bonuses from BetNow are perfect for existing customers looking for a boost. However, it isn’t the only bonus available — BetNow offers $10,000 in bonuses each week for existing players during the NFL season through its Sportsbook NFL King of the Hill Contest. We were also impressed by the sportsbook referral program that offers you a 20% cash bonus of up to $200 when you refer a friend who makes a deposit.

Promo Requirements: 4.6/5

BetNow offers relatively flexible promo requirements. To claim the reload bonuses, you must make a minimum deposit of $20. The rollover requirement corresponds to the bonus percentage, so 3x rollover for 15%, 4x rollover for 20%, and 5x rollover for 25%. These are very low requirements compared to some of its competitors.

The welcome bonus requires a $20 qualifying deposit and a 10x rollover requirement. Since this bonus doesn’t expire, there’s no rush to meet this slightly higher rollover requirement.

Payment Methods: 4.6/5

BetNow supports several payment methods, including traditional banking methods like Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover credit cards. We found it also supports several cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash. While these are good options, they are limited compared to some of BetNow’s competitors, so if you’re a crypto bettor, you might find more options at other online sportsbooks.

Minimum deposits for all traditional payment methods are $20 and a maximum of $1,000. For crypto options, you can deposit as little as $10, and the maximum is $40,000.

Our Verdict: 4.6/5

Despite the limited payment options, we found BetNow to be one of the best platforms for sportsbook promo codes and sports betting bonuses. We were impressed by the wide variety of both welcome bonuses and promotions for existing customers. A stand-out promotion was their seasonal NFL Thanksgiving promotion.

BetNow has a long-standing reputation for being a safe and secure betting platform. The sportsbook has all major US sports, including the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL, plus soccer, golf, and esports. Its prop bets offers were another feature that stood out to us as we evaluated the best sportsbook bonus codes.

Jazz Sports – Best for Racebook Betting

• Website: www.jazzsports.ag
• Established: 1994
• Deposit methods: credit and debit cards, cryptocurrency, bank wire transfers

Promotions & Bonuses: 4.7/5

While evaluating the best sportsbook promo codes and bonuses, we noticed bonuses specific to horse racing were limited. Jazz Sports bridges this gap, offering a 10% bonus for your first racebook deposit up to $1,000. Additionally, you can earn a 125% bonus on your first deposit with Jazz Sports’ sportsbook up to $500.

Existing Customer Rewards: 4.6/5

Jazz Sports has daily reward opportunities for existing customers too. At the end of every month, Jazz Sports offers a 20% cashback promotion. This gives you 20% of your net losses back at the end of every month. We were impressed by Jazz Sports’ generous 50% referral bonus of up to $500. This allows existing customers to benefit from referring their friends to Jazz Sports. Finally, they offer a 7% rebate for horse racing bets.

Promo Requirements: 4.4/5

Jazz Sports requires a $100 minimum deposit to access almost all of its bonus codes. We noticed this is a high number compared to some of its competitors’ sportsbook promo codes. However, you have plenty of opportunities for bonuses, so you can pick and choose which ones you would benefit from the most.

Payment Methods: 4.4/5

Jazz Sports offers a combination of traditional banking methods and crypto payment methods. However, Jazz Sports doesn’t support as many cryptocurrencies as some of its competitors. Jazz Sports supports credit and debit cards, Skrill, Bitcoin, person-to-person transfers, Ria money transfers, and bank wires.

Our Verdict: 4.6/5

Jazz Sports caters to new customers and existing customers alike with its sportsbook promos. We like that it offers unique bonuses for racebook bettors, as not many other sportsbooks we evaluated have similar opportunities. We found the daily bonuses tab especially convenient — here, you can find bonuses without having to scour the internet for bonus codes.

Although the promo requirements make Jazz Sports’ bonuses less accessible than some of its competitors, we were impressed by its range of promotions and betting options.

How We Rate Sportsbooks

When we rated these sportsbooks, we considered the bonus available, existing customer rewards, the accessibility of the promo requirements for the average bettor, and what payment methods each platform supports. All of these components are vital when considering the best sportsbook promo codes and bonuses, so let’s explain how we evaluated each sportsbook.

Are They Trusted?

Any bet comes with risk, but you never want to risk putting your money in the hands of an untrustworthy sportsbook. To determine this for each operator and their sportsbook promo codes, we evaluated their history and qualifications.

A sportsbook with a long-standing history and excellent reviews is generally more dependable than a brand-new sports betting site with limited reviews. We did our research to ensure these sports betting operators have licenses to operate legally. When an official, trusted, unbiased organization regulates a sportsbook, we can deem it a trusted site for legal sports betting.

Betting Offers & Promotions

There are many different types of bonuses and promotions available, and we narrowed down our list to the best of the best when it comes to sign-up bonuses, bonus bets, parlay boosts, and more.

We chose sportsbooks that care about retaining existing customers and show it by offering rewards you can claim beyond your first bet. These rewards involve reload bonuses, daily promotions, referral bonuses, seasonal giveaways, and sport-specific bonuses.

Bonus Requirements

A sportsbook promos and bonuses aren’t worth much if it comes with unreasonable requirements and hoops to jump through. For example, if a sportsbook has a high welcome bonus, this seems like a good deal — until you see it has a 50x rollover requirement.

Low rollover requirements, on the other hand, are an indicator of a great promotion. Similarly, some bonuses require a minimum deposit. If this number is too high, it can make the bonus inaccessible to average bettors too.

Sports Markets

Generally, we looked for sportsbooks that offer betting on all major sports. This includes football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and hockey, among others. We ensured that each sportsbook we listed had these sports and that its interface made it easy to find each sport. Additionally, we found unique or niche betting opportunities to be a bonus.

Some sportsbooks have begun offering esports betting, for example. Others include niche sports like cricket, darts, and handball. The broader a sportsbook’s sports market is, the more opportunities you have to bet and win.

Payment Methods

While evaluating each sportsbook, we carefully considered the payment methods they supported. We expect most sportsbooks to offer traditional banking options, such as debit and credit cards and bank transfers. Cryptocurrency is a bonus, as are Apple Pay and Google Pay.

We also evaluated any fees associated with payment methods. For example, some sportsbooks have fees specific to credit cards.

Finally, we considered the speed of withdrawals. Most bettors prefer instant or near-instant withdrawals, though the security of those transactions remains the most important factor.

User Experience & Mobile Compatibility

Finally, we considered the overall user experience and mobile compatibility of each sportsbook. We looked at how intuitive the user interface is. Is the menu easy to navigate? Is there a coherent theme? If you’re going to create a sports betting account with an operator, you might as well enjoy the experience!

After answering these questions about the desktop version, we moved to our mobile devices to see how it adapts. Some platforms appear clunky or confusing on mobile devices. We chose platforms that have mobile-friendly sites or, even better, offer apps for iOS and Android.

How Do Sportsbook Promo Codes Work?

Sports betting promo codes or bonuses are incentives sports betting sites use to attract new customers or retain existing ones. One of the most popular types is welcome bonuses, which reward you for joining the platform or making your first deposit. These match your initial deposit by a certain percentage, up to a maximum amount.

Many sportsbooks offer reloading bonuses for existing customers, where they match later deposits. Additionally, many have daily or weekly promotions they offer existing customers to keep them engaged. The “catch” is that nearly all sports betting bonuses have requirements you must meet before collecting a bonus. For example, many welcome and reload bonuses have rollover requirements.

Many bonuses also have minimum deposits you must meet before collecting a bonus. Other times, a sportsbook chooses a handful of lucky players to win a bonus. In this case, all you need to do is bet on the particular sport or event they’re advertising, and you’re in the running for the bonus.

Understanding Sportsbook Bonus Terms & Conditions

For all of the best sportsbook promo codes and bonuses, there are terms and conditions. After all, the sportsbook’s goal is to make a profit. This is where conditions like rollover requirements, qualifying deposits, time limits, and odds restrictions come in. So before you use your bonus bets or first bet safety net, here are some key components to sports betting promotions that you need to understand.

• Rollover Requirements – Rollover requirements, sometimes called “playthrough” requirements, indicate how many times you must wager the value of your deposit before you can claim a bonus. This usually applies to first deposit bonuses or reload bonuses.
• Minimum Deposits – Minimum deposits are a common requirement for reload bonuses, welcome bonuses, and first deposit bonuses.
• Time Sensitive Bonuses – Yes, it’s true. Some sportsbook bonuses expire without being utilized. In order to make sure you’re sportsbook promo codes are put to good use, whether it’s odds boosts, bonus bets, parlay insurance or a first bet safety net, it’s important to use it before you lose it.

Types of Sportsbook Bonuses

Some sportsbook promo codes and bonuses catered to new customers, while others entice existing customers to stay and wager more money. There are also bonuses catered toward certain sports or types of bets.

While we explored all types of bets for our list of sports betting promos, you should consider which ones would most benefit you.

Sign Up Bonuses

Sign-up bonuses persuade potential customers to sign up and make a first deposit. Most sportsbooks offer these welcome offers, though they vary in specifics. Some sportsbooks offer 20% matches, while others match up to 200%. However, the higher the match is, the more likely there are high deposit and rollover requirements.

No Deposit Bonuses

Some sportsbooks offer bonuses that don’t require a deposit. As soon as you make an account and verify your information, you can find this bonus on your page. Some no-deposit bonuses come in the form of extra funds, while others are opportunities like free spins at the casino. We found that these bonuses are typically lower in value, but aren’t as risky as bonuses reliant on your first deposit.

Bonus Bets

With bonus bet credits, you can make wagers and win real money. This allows you to make bets and potentially earn winnings without betting your own money. If you’ve lost some bets, you can make those losses back in bonus bets. However, most sportsbooks require you to reach a certain amount in deposits or wagers before you can earn this credit.

You can use most bonus bets on any sport or event. You may use the bonus bet as your entire wager, or toward a larger wager. For example, if you have a $10 bonus bet and you wager $20 on an event, you can use your bonus bet to only wager $10 of your own money.

Boosted Bets

Boost bets increase your odds of winning certain bets. This promotion offers the same payout for less risk, or the same risk for a bigger payout, depending on the type of promotion and the sportsbook’s requirements.

Boost bets are only available for a limited time, so we recommend acting fast when you see them. An odds boost can increase your profit between 10% and 40%. However, you may need to meet low wagering requirements to qualify for this boost.

Reload Bonus

A reload bonus rewards you for continuing to make deposits and functions very similarly to welcome and sign-up bonuses. The amount you can win depends on the amount of your deposit.

These are typically lower percentages than new user bonuses, ranging from 15% to 25%. However, it can be a nice boost. These also usually have rollover and deposit requirements and potentially time limits.

VIP Programs

VIP programs are loyalty programs for high-rollers or very active players. These exclusive programs offer members various perks, promotions, and bonuses to thank them for their loyalty. This can take the form of higher reload bonuses, free bets, and cashback.

In some cases, if an online sportsbook has a physical location, you may be able to redeem your rewards there, too. These are called crossover rewards.

Popular Sports to Wager On

If you’re looking for sports-specific promos, we can help. While the specific sportsbook promo codes for each operator may vary, we’ve seen lots of online sports betting sites offer a wide variety of bonuses for an even wider variety of sports. Whether it’s Super Bowl bonus bets, NBA single-game parlays, or even the odd MLB reload bonus during the summer, bettors have a multitude of sports to bet on when it comes time to use their sportsbook promo bonus.

Football

When is football season in full swing, bettors might be looking for NFL-specific bonuses. The gridiron provides a ton of action for any online sportsbook, whether it’s at the professional level or even within the college football realm. Weekends in the Fall and Winter are for one thing: football.

Basketball

The NBA has never been better. With high-octane action on a nightly basis, there is no better betting sport. Whether you’re into point totals, triple-double prop bets, or just a causal moneyline wager, the NBA has much to offer. Even their futures market for end-of-season awards like Rookie of the Year and MVP excite bettors.

Soccer

Whether you’re a supporter of a Premier League side, a La Liga behemoth, or an MLS team, there’s plenty of soccer action at any of our preferred online sportsbooks. After all, what better way to use a bonus bet than on a new sport you may be unfamiliar with?

Baseball

The MLB season may be six months long, but that’s good news for sports betting enthusiasts. When the Dog Days of Summer hit, the sports betting promo codes begin to flow for America’s Pastime.

Hockey

Things can heat up on the ice; any online sportsbook worth their salt knows that. Way before the puck drops ahead of the Stanley Cup Finals, same game parlays and other sports betting promotions become available for all your favorite NHL teams.

Final Thoughts

Sportsbook bonuses and sports betting promos, like first-deposit bonuses, parlay boosts, cashback, and other bonuses, enhance your sportsbook experience. We analyzed several online sportsbooks and their bonuses to find the best currently available.

Our top pick for sportsbook promos is Mega Dice. With a generous 200% welcome bonus of up to 1 BTC, Mega Dice also has bonuses available for existing customers as well. While the promotion requirements are higher than those of some of its competitors, the welcome bonus offer is worthwhile.

FAQs

The post Best Sportsbook Promos & Bonuses for March 2024 appeared first on ReadWrite.

Boxing is undergoing a resurgence, which is why boxing betting sites are seeing more and more action every day. With YouTube stars bringing new fans to the sport and the UFC’s mainstream popularity, it’s clear that combat sports are very much back, as is the demand for boxing betting sites.

Our featured sportsbooks and boxing betting apps offer a wide choice of boxing betting opportunities, from competitive pre-bout odds on a range of markets to an extensive in-play offering. Our experts have considered each operator’s huge welcome promotions, a choice of modern banking options, and strong mobile compatibility to curate our list of the best boxing betting sites.

The Best Boxing Betting Sites – March 2024

• All
• Crypto Sportsbook
• Telegram Betting

BetOnline Sports US	50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000	50% Welcome Bonus Up to $1,000 Official betting partner of La Liga, Golden Boy, and the LFA, offering Pick'em and Survivor The earliest moneylines, with access to odds before events commence Cutting-edge live in-play sportsbook, with multi-view options	9.8 BetOnline Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Bovada Sports US	$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus	$750 Bitcoin Sports Welcome Bonus Rewards Program with points from every wager that are redeemable for prizes Daily reward points on NBA, NFL, Golf, and Soccer parlay boosters Selective live streaming, & personalized bets with #What'sYaWager feature on X	9.7 Bovada Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetWhale Sports US	125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports	125% Deposit Bonus - Up to $1,250 to Bet on Sports Esports from CS:GO to FIFA to NBA2K to Call of Duty with Twitch video feeds 50% bonus on your sportsbook wagers once a day with Winstreak Various markets, including parlays, player props, futures and spreads	9.7 BetWhale Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
TG Casino Sports US	Instant 200% Bonus Up to 10ETH	Instant 200% Bonus Up to 10ETH Exclusively on Telegram Messenger, offering fully anonymous betting with no KYC Transact seamlessly using the platform's $TGC token $TGC toke provides privacy as well as a 10 ETH bonus for high rollers	9.7 TG Casino Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Everygame Sports US	Up to $5,555 Welcome Package	Up to $5,555 Welcome Package Improved live betting with multiscreen technology, multiview and halftime betting Promotions exclusive to parlay betting, like Parlay Prince and Parlay Free Bets Direct SMS delivery of exclusive sports offers to bettors	9.8 Everygame Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetUS Sports US	125% Sign Up Bonus + Up to 30 Risk Free Bets	125% Sign Up Bonus + Up to 30 Risk Free Bets Nearly 30 years of experience in the North American market Exclusive sports blogs, picks and previews from The Locker Room and BetUS-TV Sports contests with free entries like Ironman, 12th Man and Gridiron Guru	9.6 BetUS Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
MyBookie Sports US		Reload bonuses & 8% racebook rebates + risk-free bets & odds boosts via VIP+ Contests for NFL/NBA/NCAAF betting, including Survivor and Squares MyBookie VIP treatment with 24/7 support, top bonuses, and bigger bets	9.6 MyBookie Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
BetNow Sports US	200% Crypto Bonus	200% Crypto Bonus Up to 25% in re-up bonuses when adding funds Bitcoin and Bitcoin cash payment require a minimum deposit of $10 2% rebate on sportbook losses, 10% rebate on racebooks	9.6 BetNow Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Jazz Sports US	125% Welcome Bonus + Contest Starting Kit	125% Welcome Bonus + Contest Starting Kit Racebook with exclusive bonus covering US and international racing Prop builder with a risk free $25 bet and risk-free live betting Regular Pick'em & Survivor for NBA, NFL, NCAA, and more	9.5 Jazz Sports US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED
Sportsbetting US	Double Your Money Up to $500 on Your First 2 Deposits	Double Your Money Up to $500 on Your First 2 Deposits High betting limits and seamless re-bet options, perfect for high rollers Access to the earliest lines with top-tier odds Sports reload bonus of 25% and ongoing promotions for registered bettors	9.7 Sportsbetting US	Play Now NO CODE REQUIRED

Show More Offers+

The Top 5 Boxing Betting Sites Review

We reviewed our absolute favorite boxing betting sites to give you a deeper look at the type of sportsbooks that might suit your needs. Read on to learn all about our top boxing betting platforms.

1. BetOnline – No.1 Online Boxing Betting Site in the US

• Payout time: Within 24 hours
• Established: 2006
• License: Panama Gambling License
• Headquarters: Panama

For more than 15 years, BetOnline has been expertly servicing the US market and has continued to be the most popular offshore boxing betting option.

BetOnline offers early boxing lines that drop before the competition and odds are provided with significantly low margins. The sportsbook maintains fairly high betting limits too. Lots of smaller events are well covered and you’ll get a wide selection of markets too including moneyline and totals. The larger fights will enjoy a ton of different prop betting markets and specials.

They have a great selection of deposit methods, including 18 cryptocurrencies, credit and debit cards, money transfers and bank transfers. There are no credit/debit card withdrawals and deposits will incur a 9.75% transaction fee. Crypto withdrawals are free and card users will otherwise need to rely on bank transfers for payouts.

You get three channels of support at BetOnline in the form of live chat, email, and phone support. Emails will see replies in less than five to six hours and the phone lines rarely keep you on hold for any longer than 15 minutes. Live chat is readily available and a team member can be reached within minutes.

BetOnline bonus codes can be used to claim a variety of sports betting bonuses that allow boxing betting. The bonuses usually have a high deposit minimum to claim but the rollovers are generally quite low. BetOnline will even offer bonuses for big fights.

BetOnline, in our opinion, is the best boxing betting site out there. It’s a total knockout.

2. EveryGame  – Generous Fight Winner Odds

• Payout time: Within 48 hours
• Established: 1996
• License: Curacao eGaming License
• Headquarters: Antigua

EveryGame is one of the oldest sportsbooks operational in the US and the platform is incredibly well designed. The sportsbook loads quickly and looks exceptional on mobile devices. Live betting even has its own website which ensures that performance remains consistently fast and responsive during peak betting sessions.

EveryGame offers three-way markets for moneyline boxing bets on most fights and covers many smaller promotions and fights. The platform also promotes loads of boosted odds which cover a range of sports that can include boxing – albeit it is normally reserved for the biggest boxing fights of the year.

Cashier options are limited compared to BetOnline but you still get a mixture of cryptocurrencies, money transfer options, and credit/debit cards. As usual, credit and debit cards can only be used for deposits. In fact, withdrawals are entirely restricted to cryptocurrencies and bank transfers. EveryGame is the only betting site to support Bitcoin Lightning though.

Just like BetOnline, you get three 24/7 support options at EveryGame. You can use the quick live chat feature, send an email to the dedicated sportsbook support email, or request a callback at a time of your choosing. Email support got back to us in under six hours during several tests but the callback option was a little inconsistent.

EveryGame doesn’t offer the largest number of bonuses and tends to focus on specific events rather than consistent ongoing bonuses. The welcome bonus and parlay bonus accept boxing bets but the offers that pop up from time to time will usually be event-specific. Bonus rollovers at EveryGame are often below 10x.

3. BetNow – Competitive Odds on Major Title Fights

• Payout time: 48 hours
• Established: 2015
• License: Curacao eGaming License
• Headquarters: Curacao

BetNow is a small but very slick sportsbook that runs incredibly well on older mobile devices, as well as new models. This sportsbook uses a very simple betting interface that looks less than polished but offers a great deal of control for experienced boxing bettors and novice bettors will feel experienced very quickly.

BetNow offers really competitive boxing odds that often significantly undercut lines offered by bigger operators like BetOnline and Bovada. However, these odds only cover moneyline and totals bets since the sportsbook doesn’t typically offer any other markets for each boxing fight. Market coverage rarely covers more than major title fights and influencer bouts.

You can choose from five popular cryptocurrencies, credit and debit cards, and money transfer options Zelle and Cash MG. Credit and debit cards are deposit-only options. Most payouts are restricted to $5,000 which is reasonably high for most customers.

In terms of customer service, they provide the same three support options as BetOnline with live chat, email, and phone support. Emails take a little longer to see responses – around 10 – 12 hours – and the phone line has us on hold for 10 – 20 minutes. Live chat is always responsive and we connected to a helpful and knowledgeable operator within about five minutes.

There are always several ongoing promotions at BetNow and some even give you options. You’ll be offered several BetNow promo codes and each code will unlock a slightly different version of the bonus offer. General sports bonuses allow for boxing betting but this sportsbook also tends to offer sport-specific bonuses.

4. Bovada – Excellent Boxing Prop Betting

• Payout time: 48 hours
• Established: 2011
• License: Curacao eGaming License
• Headquarters: Curacao

Bovada has serviced the US market for over a decade and often has the most valuable betting odds of any offshore operator. This sportsbook also covers both major boxing bouts and plenty of smaller competitions. The odds drop fairly early too and the betting odds remain more valuable than the competition in most instances.

Among the interesting betting features at Bovada is the #Whatsyawager feature that lets you request markets – for example, you could request a specific prop betting market for a boxing bout and Bovada might provide odds for you.

Bovada is certainly becoming a very crypto-focused online gambling site and you can deposit and withdraw with some of the most popular tokens in the US. Alternatively, there are few options with credit/debit cards for deposits and bank transfers for withdrawals. Credit and debit deposits also incur a transfer fee of 15.9%.

The support department is, unfortunately, a weak point for Bovada. You only have one option that is available 24/7 but you need to work to find the email address. First, you need to exhaust a few queries in the help section before an option to contact Bovada will appear. We’d recommend saving that email address.

A Bovada bonus code will unlock several excellent sports promotions that can easily be boosted by simply choosing to deposit with a cryptocurrency over alternative methods. You’ll enjoy very low bonus rollovers which can be as small as 5x the deposit amount. Standard sports bonuses have few restrictions and you can freely back any boxing market.

5. SportsBetting – Offers Boosted Boxing Parlays

• Payout time: Within 24 hours
• Established: 2011
• License: Panama Gambling License
• Headquarters: Panama

SportsBetting.AG were taken over by BetOnline in 2012 and the platform could easily be described as a sister site with similar odds, markets, and overall look. You’ll get boxing betting odds just as early as BetOnline and those odds have the same low margins too, providing a great menu form which you can bet on boxing fights.

The platform is a great live betting performer with fast response times and a well-designed betting window layout. SportsBetting also allows for some more advanced types of boxing bets, such as Same Game Parlays, which could allow you to bet on the moneyline and total rounds of a single fight.

Just like BetOnline you can choose from the same 18 cryptocurrencies, bank transfers, money transfers, and debit/credit cards. Credit and debit cards cannot be used for withdrawals. Bettors will have to choose between cryptocurrencies, wire transfers, and a check that can be sent in the mail.

You can reach assistance via three channels – that is 24/7 live chat, email, and phone support. It does appear that this is the same team as the BetOnline support department which means you’ll be fighting for attention with BetOnline players. However, response times are still quick with emails getting back to us in around eight hours.

Boxing bettors need to read the T&Cs of SportsBetting bonuses quite closely. These offers tend to be offered as ‘Free Play” which is for selected sports which often excludes boxing. However, not all bonuses are provided in this fashion and you’ll still get some bonuses to play with.

How We Rank Boxing Betting Sites

We test for a handful of very important metrics that all high-quality sportsbooks need to provide to be considered on one of our top lists. To help you spot a quality sportsbook on your own, we’ve provided details on our vital metrics below.

Boxing Betting Options

The best online betting sites for boxing must offer excellent coverage of boxing events, with Bovada being a good example. This means all the big marquee events and a good amount of smaller fights too. Market coverage needs to extend beyond just a basic moneyline and totals bets too. The odds need to be reasonable too, so that their value can be found on both the underdog and favorite in most fights.

Security and Reputation

When researching the various boxing betting sites available, we noted a marked importance in the safety and security of each operator. Each of our featured online sportsbooks has been carefully vetted to ensure that each has a valid license from a trusted and reputable government entity. Going further, we only highlight brands that we know and trust, so there’s no need to worry about a brand’s reputation. If it’s featured on ReadWrite, it has our seal of approval.

Payment Methods

Our rankings take the available payment methods into us consideration when determining the best boxing betting sites. We look for numerous different ways to make safe, secure, and fast deposits and withdrawals. This usually means a good mixture of cryptocurrencies, with Mega Dice offering a strong selection, traditional means like credit cards and bank transfers, and any alternatives like an e-wallet is a bonus. Transactions need to occur in a reasonably timely manner and also look for low fees and reasonable transaction limits.

Event-Specific Bonuses

The best boxing betting sites will not only offer bonuses but even provide specific boxing promotions. MyBookie, for example, offer regular bonuses for betting on boxing. These will usually be a free bet on a big match like a title fight or marquee event. Bonuses should be varied and have acceptable rollover requirements that are not too excessive. We look for around a 10x rollover and a strong welcome bonus is a must.

Customer Support

We expect at least 24/7 support via live chat. However, email or phone support certainly contributes to a higher ranking. Signs of a quality support team are customer support operators that do not just push the FAQs or help section on you and respond promptly. Instant responses are not always possible, but we expect emails to take no longer than 12 hours. We found that BetOnline had very good customer care.

How to Sign Up to a Boxing Betting Site

Registering for a new account at any of the best boxing betting sites that we have recommended. You’ll just need to provide some very basic details and the sign-up forms are very intuitive to follow. We show you how to go from signing up at BetOnline, through to placing your first bet on boxing.

Step 1: Visit the Website and Click Join

Go to betonline.ag and click on the green “Join Now” to begin signing up for the online sportsbook.

Step 2: Enter Registration Details

Provide your personal details by entering them into the spaces provided. You’ll need to supply your full name, residential address, mobile number, and email, and you’ll need to create your password. Confirm you own the email address used to complete the setup process. Just access your emails, find the new email from BetOnline, and follow the link provided.

Step 3: Make a Deposit

Head to the cashier by clicking the green “Deposit” button. Before selecting your deposit method, choose a bonus code from those provided in the top banner. Next, select a deposit method, nominate how much you wish to deposit, and then follow the prompts to complete your transaction. For example, you can copy the operator’s crypto wallet address or enter your credit card details.

Step 4: Start Betting on Boxing

Head to the sportsbook and choose boxing from the side menu. You can now scroll through all the available fights to bet on. Choose one and then select a market. Make your selection by clicking on it. The selection will go to the bet slip. Add your stake and confirm your bet.

Types of Bets in Boxing

Top sportsbooks offer several exciting markets that cover both smaller niche matches and the biggest title fights of the year. To get a better understanding of the potential boxing betting odds you’ll encounter online, our experts have detailed the different markets you’ll be able to bet on.

Moneyline

The moneyline is a simple bet on who will win the bout. Your selection needs to win the fight for the bet to be successful. Since this is a two-way market, a tied result will result in a push – your stake will be returned to you if the fight ends in a draw.

Some sportsbooks may offer this market as a 3-way where you can bet on the draw too.

Totals

A Totals bet in boxing is all about the number of rounds. You must predict how many rounds the bout will go. For example, an Over 6.5 bet would mean the fight must last at least 7 rounds for the bet to be successful. Conversely, an Under 6.5 bet would need to fight to last no more than 6 rounds.

Prop

These are special bets that have no association with the end result of the fight and a prop bet generally asks you to answer a question. For example, “Will there be a knockdown?” and “Who will land the most punches?” are all prop bets.

Method of victory

This bet type is specific to fight sports and could almost be considered a prop bet. All you need to do is accurately predict how the winner of the fight will defeat their opponent. Your options will be KO, TKO, or decision.

This is a bet type commonly added to Same Game Parlay opportunities alongside a Totals and moneyline bet. For example, a potential one-sided bout with a favorite known to win by knockouts could be great value by betting on that fighter to win by knockout in under so many rounds.

Round betting

This market is rarely offered but some of the bigger events sometimes receive a round betting market. Round betting asks you to predict which round the fight will end in and also asks you to predict which fighter will win the bout. For example, Tyson Fury in the 5th round.

Tips for Betting on Boxing Events

You’ll find a plethora of boxing betting strategies that involve reading the fighter’s movements or using certain odds to your advantage. However, regardless of the boxing betting strategy you use, there are several boxing betting tips that will always need to be observed ahead of betting on any boxing match.

• Watch the news – Keep an eye out on everything from the training camps to the rumors surrounding sanctions. You’d be surprised how big of an influence on boxing odds rumors can be. Training gossip ahead of a boxing match can be revealing, but it can also be misdirection from a boxer’s team. Rather than bet based on the news, watch how the news affects the odds and look for value.
• Tale of the tape – One of the best boxing betting tips we can offer is that doing your homework helps win bets. Research both fighters and get a good understanding of their statistics and form. Check out how they performed in their last fight, determine their strengths and weaknesses, see if they dropped weight classes, and then compare those against the other fighter.
• Bet responsibly – Always gamble responsibly, no matter how good the boxing odds may be. This means never chasing your losses and knowing when to walk away if you need to. It’s always a good idea to set yourself some bet and deposit limits.
• Bet live – One distinct advantage of taking boxing odds in real-time is that the algorithms rarely keep up with the pace of the action. Keen-eyed boxing bettors will be able to see situations the odds cannot. Knowing the exact round a fighter loses a mental or physical edge is massively important. You could bet early before the odds shift dramatically against them.

Biggest Boxing Events to Bet on

Online sports betting sites for boxing can offer odds and markets for bouts contested for smaller promotions such as Golden Boy Promotions. However, these are for diehard boxing fans. It’s the major events that draw in the bigger number of bettors. We provide details on the biggest boxing events to bet on at offshore gambling sites.

WBC

The World Boxing Council is the most prestigious sanctioning body in boxing and there is no greater honor than holding the WBC Heavyweight championship. The title isn’t contested often – the champion is obligated to defend once per year – and this just adds to the hype and prestige of a WBC title fight.

WBA

The oldest of the sanctioning bodies, the World Boxing Association has a ton of history. Interestingly, there can be two champions. If the “regular” champion -referred to as the World Champion – also wins the same title from another body – such as the WBC – they will be crowned the “Super” WBA champion. The “regular” title is then vacated and can be won by another fighter.

IBF

The International Boxing Federation runs a tight ship much akin to the United States Boxing Association. For example, challengers to the title holders are decided by elimination fights to crown genuine mandatory contenders for a championship fight.

WBO

The youngest of the big four sanctioning bodies, the World Boxing Organization existed for 16 years before the WBC gave its blessing to allow full recognition of the WBO titles as genuine titles. Many comparisons can be drawn between this body and the WBC including the rule that a champion must defend their title at least once per year.

Unification fights

Eventually, the champions of different bodies would defeat contenders and look to fight other champions in their weight division. This resulted in unification fights in which a boxer holds two or more titles in their weight division such as holding the WBC and WBA heavyweight title at the same time.

Undisputed champions can even be created when a single boxer holds all four major titles from their weight division.

Marquee fights

Marquee fights refer to those that are not necessarily fought in any particular division or for a title. It could be the return of two famous fighters, an exhibition between former fighters, or a cross-promotion.

Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight in 2020 is a great example of two former fighters drawing betting attention while Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor is an example of a cross-promotion that saw famous fighters from two different fight sports compete.

These types of bouts will often feature a wide variety of novelty prop bets to cater to a more casual audience. But sharp bettors can find value too.

Influencer boxing

The rise of influence boxing is hard to ignore at this point and bouts pitting two social media stars against each other has brought a whole new set of eyes on boxing. Hate it or love it, influencer boxing has raised the mainstream appeal of boxing once again.

These fights are very big in the media and feature two stars – typically YouTube influencers – against each other, as they battle over some form of “internet beef”. Some influencers have even turned into fairly decent fighters such as the Paul brothers and KSI.

Live Betting & Streaming at Boxing Betting Sites

Some sportsbooks offer live betting for boxing events. The range of markets is limited, mostly due to the limited nature of possible markets that could be offered in real time. You can bet on the moneyline and Totals markets which shift dynamically with every knockdown, completed round, or positive flurry of attacks.

It is very unlikely you’ll ever get to see a live stream of most boxing matches at offshore sportsbooks. Especially big Pay-Per-View fights and TV fights in which the broadcast rights are expensive and only provided to a select few networks and streaming services. However, it is worth keeping an eye out at operators like BetOnline, Bovada, Lucky Streak, and Mega Dice which consistently offer live streaming.

Types of Bonuses at Boxing Sportsbooks

The lucrative and exciting bonuses that offshore sportsbooks provide are one of the many reasons these betting sites are superior to any other form of betting for boxing events. A bonus provides a form of free betting with the potential to convert those bonus credits into real cash winnings. When determining the best boxing betting sites, it’s important to make sure they offer top-shelf bonuses.

Matched deposit

The most common bonus type at online betting sites for boxing, the welcome bonus is almost always a matched deposit offer. This bonus sees the bookmaker provide a deposit match of your initial deposit with bonus funds to a certain percentage. For example, a 100% matched deposit of a $200 deposit would be a $200 bonus – that’s $200 in real money and $200 in bonus money.

Bonus money will almost always need to be rolled over. The rollover is the number of times a bonus needs to be bet before it can be considered real money. Sportsbooks often offer these types of bonuses when an upcoming fight is gaining interest.

Free bet

A free bet is a small bonus in which the sportsbook covers the stake on a smaller bet. Typically, for a bet of no more than $10-20 for a specific market or sport, you will get to keep the profits if the bet is successful – pending any rollover requirements.

For example, a winning $20 free bet on Tim Tszyu to beat Brain Mendoza at -600 would payout $23.31. the $20 stake is returned to the bookmaker, so you would win $3.33.

Cashback

Often offered as a horse racing bonus, cashbacks are also sometimes offered across all sports including boxing. This is the return of a percentage of your bets or a percentage of your net losses. For example, a 10% cashback on $500 of losing bets would be $10.

It’s not uncommon for there to be no rollover on cashback returns. However, if there are, it will be applied to the amount you received back in cashback. Be sure to check with your chosen boxing betting site to see if they have any specific wagering requirements on cashback returns.

No deposit bonus

This refers to any bonus that awards either free bets or bonus funds but does not require a real money deposit to claim the offer. These bonuses are pretty rare since the sportsbooks don’t receive any real money from the bettors.

The bonus will come in the form of bonus funds or a free bet and a rollover is almost always required. You’ll likely see these bonuses in your inbox during major sporting events like the Super Bowl or a big influencer bout.

Boosted odds

Some of the best boxing betting sites offer boosted odds as a bonus that all customers can claim. The odds for selected markets are increased providing unique value. For example, a selected prop market in the next Anthony Joshua fight might go from +150 to +210.

Banking Options at Online Boxing Betting Sites

The best boxing betting sites support a myriad of secure and reliable payment options that facilitate instant deposits and snappy payouts. We explain the most popular banking options below so you can choose the one that suits you best.

Boxing Betting Apps & Mobile Sites

Rather than offering boxing betting apps, the top platforms that we recommend provide mobile-optimized betting sites. These platforms look exactly like their desktop counterparts except with sharper visuals and great touchscreen support. More often than not, these mobile interfaces feel the exact same as a betting app.

You’ll be able to take advantage of all the same odds, markets, and bonuses that you would on the desktop page. Both iOS and Android users can access the mobile boxing betting sites via their native browser or alternative supported browsers such as Firefox or Opera GX.

What is the Best Boxing Betting Site?

By offering very early boxing betting lines with incredibly low margins, BetOnline is the very best boxing betting site in the United States. BetOnline also offers a wide coverage of boxing events that ensures you can bet on the biggest title fights but also plenty of bouts featuring up-and-coming stars. Whether you’re looking to place bets on a single fight or a slew of matches, BetOnline has you covered.

This sportsbook also trumps other competitors against our vital metrics which include excellent customer support, a variety of lucrative bonuses, and a high degree of security that features safe payment options. New bettors can also claim a $1,000 sports betting bonus that supports boxing betting markets.

Responsible Betting

Sports betting, specifically betting on boxing, can be an enjoyable experience that enhances a bettor’s connection to the sport they love. However, there are times when betting goes from a fun and exciting hobby to a concerning problem. If you ever become worried that you may have an issue with problem gambling, know that you are not alone and there are resources that can help.  

We at ReadWrite recommend that bettors seeking help to curb their problem betting visit the National Council on Problem Gambling. The NCPG’s resources include educational information and practical help for those who seek it. Bettors can also call ‘1-800-GAMBLER’ to speak to a counselor. On a local level, bettors are urged to research the specific gambling addiction resources available via their state and local authorities. 

The important thing to remember is that there are people waiting to help and plenty of resources available. You are not alone.

Related Online Betting Guides

• How To Bet on Sports
• Sports Betting Bankroll Management
• Best Sports Betting Strategies
• Learn Sports Betting Terminology
• Best NFL Betting Sites
• Best Horse Racing Betting Sites
• Best Esports Betting Sites

Best Boxing Betting Sites FAQs

The post Boxing Betting Sites 2024 – Best Boxing Sportsbooks & Betting Apps appeared first on ReadWrite.