Bookmaker Margin Index: which bookmaker has the lowest margin?
Which bookmaker takes the smallest cut? We compute the real 1X2 margin of every bookmaker we track, from 3,020 matches priced in the last 30 days — measured from live odds, not marketing claims.
Why a straight average misleads: our 17-week, same-match study →
Lowest average 1X2 margin among the 44 bookmakers we track (3,020 matches, last 30 days): BetAnything at 4.96%. The median bookmaker charges 8.52%; the highest is Unibet (FR) at 15.42%. Betting exchanges are listed separately below. Compared on the same matches as Pinnacle, the cheapest is Dafabet, -0.09 percentage points from Pinnacle (906 shared matches).
Last computed:
Ranked by how much more than Pinnacle each bookmaker charges on the same matches; the plain average also depends on which leagues it prices.
| # | Bookmaker | vs Pinnacle, same matches | Avg. margin | Cost per 100 stakedCost per 100 | Matches sampled |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1. Dafabet Matches sampled: 919 | -0.09 pts | 7.24% | 6.75 | 919 |
| 2 | 2. Pinnacle sharp benchmark Matches sampled: 2,757 | benchmark | 5.47% | 5.19 | 2,757 |
| 3 | 3. Coolbet Matches sampled: 1,480 | +1.01 pts | 5.06% | 4.82 | 1,480 |
| 4 | 4. Betano Matches sampled: 1,073 | +1.03 pts | 8.43% | 7.78 | 1,073 |
| 5 | 5. 1xBet Matches sampled: 2,881 | +1.27 pts | 6.76% | 6.34 | 2,881 |
| 6 | 6. BetAnything Matches sampled: 580 | +1.28 pts | 4.96% | 4.73 | 580 |
| 7 | 7. BetOnline.ag Matches sampled: 1,549 | +1.32 pts | 5.34% | 5.07 | 1,549 |
| 8 | 8. GTbets Matches sampled: 713 | +1.64 pts | 5.50% | 5.21 | 713 |
| 9 | 9. Unibet (UK) Matches sampled: 1,465 | +2.57 pts | 6.86% | 6.42 | 1,465 |
| 10 | 10. Unibet (SE) Matches sampled: 1,791 | +2.60 pts | 6.81% | 6.38 | 1,791 |
| 11 | 11. Bet365 Matches sampled: 1,087 | +2.69 pts | 10.14% | 9.20 | 1,087 |
| 12 | 12. Unibet (NL) Matches sampled: 1,645 | +2.87 pts | 7.01% | 6.55 | 1,645 |
| 13 | 13. MyBookie.ag Matches sampled: 225 | +2.95 pts | 6.93% | 6.48 | 225 |
| 14 | 14. Marathonbet Matches sampled: 2,683 | +3.03 pts | 8.47% | 7.81 | 2,683 |
| 15 | 15. Betsson Matches sampled: 1,774 | +3.34 pts | 7.46% | 6.94 | 1,774 |
| 16 | 16. Codere (IT) Matches sampled: 1,238 | +3.34 pts | 7.33% | 6.83 | 1,238 |
| 17 | 17. Everygame Matches sampled: 186 | +3.37 pts | 6.63% | 6.21 | 186 |
| 18 | 18. Nordic Bet Matches sampled: 1,780 | +3.44 pts | 7.56% | 7.03 | 1,780 |
| 19 | 19. Casumo Matches sampled: 1,492 | +3.61 pts | 7.79% | 7.23 | 1,492 |
| 20 | 20. Betway Matches sampled: 1,467 | +3.66 pts | 7.86% | 7.28 | 1,467 |
| 21 | 21. Betfair Sportsbook Matches sampled: 2,329 | +3.80 pts | 9.38% | 8.58 | 2,329 |
| 22 | 22. LeoVegas Matches sampled: 1,123 | +4.12 pts | 8.24% | 7.61 | 1,123 |
| 23 | 23. Betano (UK) Matches sampled: 1,244 | +4.14 pts | 8.22% | 7.59 | 1,244 |
| 24 | 24. BetVictor Matches sampled: 2,181 | +4.20 pts | 9.51% | 8.69 | 2,181 |
| 25 | 25. Coral Matches sampled: 1,462 | +4.32 pts | 8.50% | 7.84 | 1,462 |
| 26 | 26. Grosvenor Matches sampled: 1,592 | +4.35 pts | 8.63% | 7.95 | 1,592 |
| 27 | 27. Tipico Matches sampled: 1,435 | +4.47 pts | 8.60% | 7.92 | 1,435 |
| 28 | 28. Betfred (UK) Matches sampled: 1,643 | +4.47 pts | 8.81% | 8.10 | 1,643 |
| 29 | 29. William Hill Matches sampled: 2,637 | +4.55 pts | 10.09% | 9.17 | 2,637 |
| 30 | 30. Ladbrokes Matches sampled: 1,517 | +4.61 pts | 8.77% | 8.06 | 1,517 |
| 31 | 31. 888sport Matches sampled: 1,543 | +5.24 pts | 9.38% | 8.58 | 1,543 |
| 32 | 32. Paddy Power Matches sampled: 1,642 | +5.47 pts | 9.64% | 8.79 | 1,642 |
| 33 | 33. Winamax (DE) Matches sampled: 1,513 | +5.48 pts | 9.66% | 8.81 | 1,513 |
| 34 | 34. Suprabets Matches sampled: 208 | +5.53 pts | 8.53% | 7.86 | 208 |
| 35 | 35. LeoVegas (SE) Matches sampled: 1,852 | +5.88 pts | 9.99% | 9.08 | 1,852 |
| 36 | 36. Virgin Bet Matches sampled: 1,711 | +6.07 pts | 10.26% | 9.30 | 1,711 |
| 37 | 37. LiveScore Bet Matches sampled: 1,711 | +6.48 pts | 10.64% | 9.62 | 1,711 |
| 38 | 38. Sky Bet Matches sampled: 1,556 | +6.62 pts | 10.97% | 9.88 | 1,556 |
| 39 | 39. BoyleSports Matches sampled: 1,496 | +7.73 pts | 11.86% | 10.60 | 1,496 |
| 40 | 40. Winamax (FR) Matches sampled: 1,430 | +7.95 pts | 12.05% | 10.76 | 1,430 |
| 41 | 41. Betclic (FR) Matches sampled: 1,433 | +8.30 pts | 12.30% | 10.96 | 1,433 |
| 42 | 42. PMU (FR) Matches sampled: 1,267 | +9.02 pts | 13.04% | 11.54 | 1,267 |
| 43 | 43. SBO Matches sampled: 620 | +9.58 pts | 15.38% | 13.33 | 620 |
| 44 | 44. Unibet (FR) Matches sampled: 1,451 | +11.34 pts | 15.42% | 13.36 | 1,451 |
Cost per 100 staked = margin ÷ (1 + margin): what an average bettor gives up per 100 staked in the long run, if the margin is spread evenly across outcomes. A 10% margin costs about 9.1 per 100, not 10. Long shots usually carry more of it than favourites.
Sorted by the difference from Pinnacle on the matches both priced (shown from 30 shared matches). Bookmakers cover different leagues, and lower leagues carry higher margins at every bookmaker, so a straight average flatters bookmakers that only price big leagues. The straight average is shown alongside.
Betting exchanges (not ranked)
Exchanges charge a commission on winnings instead of building a margin into their prices, so their numbers are not comparable with a bookmaker's margin. They are shown for reference only.
| Exchange | Avg. margin | Matches sampled |
|---|---|---|
| Matchbook | 1.11% | 1,215 |
| Betfair Exchange (EU) | 1.44% | 1,573 |
| Betfair Exchange (UK) | 1.46% | 1,434 |
| Smarkets | 3.98% | 1,480 |
Head-to-head comparisons on the same matches
Pinnacle vs Bet365 · Bet365 vs William Hill · Bet365 vs 1xBet · Bet365 vs Betano · Pinnacle vs 1xBet · 1xBet vs Betano · Bet365 vs BetVictor · William Hill vs 888sport · Betclic (FR) vs Winamax (FR)
Margins by league
The market's average margin differs by league — small leagues cost you more. The 'cheapest book' is the bookmaker with the lowest average margin in that league (min. 20 matches).
| League | Market avg. margin | Cheapest book | Matches sampled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 5.83% | 1xBet 2.04% | 50 |
| UEFA Champions League | 6.14% | 1xBet 1.95% | 54 |
| Serie A | 6.25% | 1xBet 2.34% | 50 |
| La Liga | 6.31% | 1xBet 2.20% | 51 |
| Bundesliga | 6.60% | Unibet (SE) 2.52% | 45 |
| Ligue 1 | 6.60% | LeoVegas (SE) 2.50% | 45 |
| UEFA Nations League | 6.69% | 1xBet 3.14% | 60 |
| UEFA Europa League | 6.91% | 1xBet 3.42% | 54 |
| Championship | 7.14% | LeoVegas (SE) 3.62% | 61 |
| League One | 7.39% | Pinnacle 4.23% | 74 |
| Scottish Premiership | 7.56% | Pinnacle 4.07% | 28 |
| MLS | 7.62% | BetOnline.ag 3.83% | 94 |
| Süper Lig | 7.77% | 1xBet 3.39% | 36 |
| UEFA Conference League | 7.80% | 1xBet 3.93% | 54 |
| League Two | 7.82% | Pinnacle 5.17% | 72 |
| Eredivisie | 7.84% | Unibet (NL) 2.94% | 45 |
| Brazil Serie A | 7.93% | Pinnacle 3.74% | 61 |
| A-League | 8.08% | Betfair Sportsbook 7.26% | 23 |
| Primeira Liga | 8.08% | Pinnacle 4.11% | 28 |
| Argentina Liga Profesional | 8.14% | Pinnacle 3.79% | 75 |
| Primera A | 8.14% | Betano 5.04% | 57 |
| Brazil Serie B | 8.35% | Pinnacle 4.35% | 62 |
| Allsvenskan | 8.36% | Unibet (SE) 3.00% | 40 |
| Czech Liga | 8.39% | Dafabet 4.99% | 25 |
| 2. Bundesliga | 8.40% | Pinnacle 3.76% | 36 |
| Danish Superliga | 8.51% | Pinnacle 4.00% | 24 |
| Jupiler Pro League | 8.52% | Pinnacle 4.22% | 27 |
| Eliteserien | 8.56% | Coolbet 3.29% | 32 |
| Liga MX | 8.64% | BetOnline.ag 3.81% | 49 |
| China Super League | 8.64% | Pinnacle 4.77% | 24 |
| Peru Liga 1 | 8.64% | Dafabet 4.99% | 36 |
| J1 League | 8.69% | Pinnacle 3.87% | 48 |
| Ukraine Premier League | 8.80% | 1xBet 4.88% | 25 |
| Superettan | 8.80% | Pinnacle 5.09% | 25 |
| Norway 1. Division | 8.88% | Pinnacle 5.16% | 40 |
| Ligue 2 | 9.05% | Pinnacle 4.47% | 36 |
| Slovak Super Liga | 9.07% | Pinnacle 5.51% | 20 |
| Romania Liga I | 9.08% | Pinnacle 5.10% | 26 |
| Serie B | 9.09% | Pinnacle 3.55% | 50 |
| Austrian Bundesliga | 9.16% | Pinnacle 4.07% | 24 |
| Segunda Division | 9.21% | Pinnacle 3.75% | 59 |
| Veikkausliiga | 9.22% | Pinnacle 3.99% | 26 |
| Primera Division Chile | 9.25% | Coolbet 4.61% | 25 |
| Ekstraklasa | 9.28% | Pinnacle 4.42% | 37 |
| Premier Division | 9.35% | Pinnacle 4.73% | 21 |
| Primera Nacional | 9.37% | Pinnacle 5.49% | 68 |
| USL Championship | 9.64% | Pinnacle 5.85% | 60 |
| Greek Super League | 9.74% | Pinnacle 4.75% | 35 |
| K League 2 | 9.84% | Dafabet 4.97% | 28 |
| Uruguay Primera Division | 9.86% | Pinnacle 4.92% | 34 |
| K League 1 | 10.00% | Pinnacle 4.04% | 24 |
| Chile Primera B | 10.11% | Betano 7.13% | 33 |
| Saudi Pro League | 10.14% | Coral 5.55% | 42 |
| 3. Liga | 10.14% | Pinnacle 5.53% | 60 |
| Czech FNL | 10.19% | BetVictor 7.04% | 26 |
| Poland I Liga | 10.22% | Pinnacle 5.14% | 29 |
| Slovakia 2. Liga | 10.35% | Dafabet 7.01% | 33 |
| Kazakhstan Premier League | 10.45% | 1xBet 6.46% | 30 |
| Serbia Super Liga | 10.45% | 1xBet 5.27% | 23 |
| Ecuador LigaPro | 10.47% | Betano 5.12% | 24 |
| FA Cup | 10.73% | Codere (IT) 7.01% | 43 |
| Bulgaria Second League | 11.26% | Betano 10.92% | 22 |
| China League Two | 11.35% | Dafabet 10.05% | 48 |
| Primera B Metropolitana | 11.52% | Dafabet 7.05% | 45 |
| Lithuania 1 Lyga | 11.79% | Dafabet 10.09% | 28 |
| Hungary NB II | 11.80% | Dafabet 8.22% | 26 |
| Primera C | 12.03% | Dafabet 7.09% | 39 |
| Paraguay Division Intermedia | 12.06% | Dafabet 8.07% | 34 |
Margins on over/under 2.5 and both teams to score
Average bookmaker margin per market on the upcoming matches, from prices refreshed about every 3 hours, with the number of matches. Pinnacle is shown as the reference.
| Bookmaker | Over/under 2.5 | Both teams to score |
|---|---|---|
| Pinnacle reference | 5.1% (n=486) | — |
| Betano | 5.1% (n=584) -0.1 pts vs Pinnacle (483 matches) | 7.4% (n=574) |
| SBO | 5.1% (n=98) +0.8 pts vs Pinnacle (98 matches) | — |
| Bet365 | 5.8% (n=463) +0.9 pts vs Pinnacle (390 matches) | 7.4% (n=444) |
| 1xBet | 6.8% (n=602) +1.5 pts vs Pinnacle (472 matches) | 8.0% (n=602) |
| Betfair Sportsbook | 7.2% (n=213) +2.5 pts vs Pinnacle (203 matches) | 7.0% (n=246) |
| Marathonbet | 8.1% (n=569) +2.9 pts vs Pinnacle (485 matches) | 8.7% (n=569) |
| BetVictor | 8.9% (n=377) +4.1 pts vs Pinnacle (353 matches) | 8.6% (n=382) |
| William Hill | — | 7.7% (n=529) |
Margin = 1/odds(over) + 1/odds(under) − 1 on the same line, averaged per match; pairs that look like mixed lines in a feed are left out. Only bookmakers with at least 30 matches. Ranked by the difference to Pinnacle on the same matches; 2.5 is often an alternate line for Pinnacle, where its margin is higher than on its main line.
How we measure this
For every match, we take each bookmaker's most recent pre-kick-off 1X2 prices from our own odds snapshots (in-play prices are excluded), convert them to implied probabilities (1 divided by the odds) and sum them. A fair market sums to exactly 100%; anything above that is the bookmaker's margin — the built-in fee you pay on every bet. We average that margin across all matches the bookmaker priced in the last 30 days. Nobody pays us for placement and no affiliate deal reorders this table: it is arithmetic on captured prices, recomputed every hour.
Why this matters
The margin is the single biggest controllable cost in betting. Betting at a 7% margin instead of 3% means paying more than double the fee on every single bet — a difference no picking skill realistically overcomes. Before asking 'who should I bet on?', ask 'how much is this book charging me?'
Frequently asked
What is a bookmaker margin?
The margin (also called vig or overround) is the bookmaker's built-in fee: the amount by which the implied probabilities of all outcomes exceed 100%. If it is spread evenly across the outcomes, a 5% margin costs a perfectly average bettor about 4.8 units per 100 staked in the long run (5 ÷ 105); long shots usually carry more of it than favourites.
Why do sharp bookmakers have lower margins?
Sharp bookmakers run a low-margin, high-volume model and accept winning customers, so their prices stay close to true probabilities. Recreational bookmakers charge higher margins and rely on marketing rather than price to attract bets.