Sports betting guides

Odds show how much you get back if you win. At decimal odds of 2.50, a €10 stake returns €25, so €15 profit. Convert the odds for every outcome of a match into probabilities and add them up, and you get more than 100%. The excess is the bookmaker’s margin. The smaller it is, the more you keep in the long run.

Bonuses look generous but almost always come with wagering requirements: you have to turn the bonus over several times at minimum odds before you can withdraw it. Before you sign up, check how many times, at what odds and within what time limit.

Only bet with bookmakers licensed for your country. The licence and the regulator are usually listed at the very bottom of the bookmaker’s site. Without a licence you have little recourse in a dispute.

In live betting, odds change by the second. Before you confirm, check the current odds and whether the bookmaker accepts changes automatically. Cash-⁠out lets you settle a bet before the final whistle, but you usually get less than it is mathematically worth.

How your money moves matters too. With an eWallet such as Skrill or Neteller you deposit without giving the bookmaker your card details, and withdrawals usually arrive faster than by bank transfer.

Set a fixed budget in advance and use the deposit limits in your bookmaker account. Betting should stay entertainment. If you notice you are chasing losses, take a break or self-⁠exclude.

Our sports betting guide above explains all of this in more detail, from odds and margins to bonuses and licences.

Through eWO you get an extra bonus at selected bookmakers, without any change to your terms with the bookmaker. You can see which ones in our betting deals.