What is Margin?
The bookmaker's profit margin per market, equal to overround minus 100%.
Definition
Margin is the bookmaker's expected profit on a balanced book, expressed as a percentage. A 5% margin on a major football match is industry standard; sharp books like Pinnacle run 2-3% margins on top leagues; soft US books run 4-7% on majors and 15-30% on parlays and props. Lower margin = better odds for the bettor. Fan Bet Odds tracks margin per bookmaker on every comparison page.
Example
On a 1X2 market with 105.0% overround, the margin is 5.0% - the bookmaker's expected profit if action is balanced across all three outcomes.
Related terms
More from this category: Betting Basics
FAQ
What does "Margin" mean in sports betting?
The bookmaker's profit margin per market, equal to overround minus 100%.
How is "Margin" used at the FIFA World Cup 2026?
Margin applies to every World Cup 2026 match in the same way as any other regulated sports event. Fan Bet Odds tracks the relevant prices and lines across Bet365, Pinnacle, DraftKings, BetMGM and other licensed bookmakers — see the match prediction and odds pages for live application.
Where can I see "Margin" in action on Fan Bet Odds?
Margin appears throughout our match prediction pages (/odds/predictions/match/[slug]), market deep-dives (/odds/predictions/match/[slug]/[market]) and bookmaker reviews (/bet/bookmakers/[slug]). Use the related terms below to navigate the broader glossary.
World Cup 2026 - Daily Odds & Tips
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