Many sports bettors have a favorite betting site and only place their wagers there. However, pros always rely on multiple sportsbooks for action. This begs the question: should you have accounts at multiple betting sites or exclusively wager at one sportsbook?
There are pros and cons to both sides of the coin! However, we strongly recommend having quick access to several online sportsbooks with more than one account, simply because you get more for your money.
We explain why in this article that also covers the cons of using multiple betting sites and apps. Here’s a quick overview of the main factors you need to consider.
Pros and Cons of Using Multiple Betting Sites
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| ✅ Line shopping for the best value | ⌠Time-consuming |
| ✅ More bonuses and free contests | ⌠Potential rollover requirements; often only one account per household |
| ✅ Extra betting markets and odds | ⌠More distractions because of the extra opportunities |
| ✅ Access to better live betting platforms | ⌠Danger of careless live betting |
| ✅ Arbitrage opportunities | |
| ✅ Overcome being limited |
Now, let’s analyze each pro and the reasoning behind it!
✅ Line Shopping for Best Value and Return
Line shopping for the best betting value is the No. 1 reason you should have accounts on multiple sites. We have this at the top of the list because it’s imperative to get the best odds when placing your wagers.
This can be the difference between a losing year and a winning year. It can apply to point spreads, moneylines, props, and many other kinds of wagers available online. In short, the goal is to bet on the odds that will provide the greatest return.
Additionally, the point spread can vary across online sportsbooks. Let’s assume the spread for an NFL game is -7 (-110) at betting site “A” and -7.5 (-110) at betting site “B”. If you like the favorite, selecting the “A” sportsbook is a no-brainer.
A seven-point win would be a loss at sportsbook “B”, while sportsbook “A” would be a push and refund. Now, let’s check out a real-life example of moneyline odds from a matchup on Thursday Night Football:
MyBookie:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-198)
- Cleveland Browns (+160)
Bovada:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (-195)
- Cleveland Browns (+165)
Whether you like the favorite or underdog, Bovada has the greater return for your money. To win $100 backing the Steelers, bettors have to wager $198 at MyBookie rather than $195 at Bovada. This can add up significantly at the end of the year!
It doesn’t mean that Bovada will always have the better odds, so you will have to continually line shop before locking in your wagers. Yes, it can be time-consuming, but it is definitely worth it for any bettors who want to improve their chances of profiting.
✅ More Bonuses and Free Contests
The best offshore sportsbooks offer a wide variety of sign-up bonuses for new customers. The bonuses vary from site to site based on the amount of available free cash, rewards, and rules of each bonus.
To get the maximum number of freebies, it’s simple: sign up at more online sportsbooks! There isn’t a limit on the number of bookies that you can sign up for online. Operators offer bonuses to entice bettors to compete against competitors, so feel free to grab as many bonuses as you’d like.
Also, many online betting sites have free contests throughout the year. For instance, BetOnline regularly has contests offering big prizes, including thousands of dollars just for having an account and playing!
✅ Extra Betting Markets and Odds at Your Disposal
Limiting yourself to one sportsbook also limits your ability to have access to a wide range of odds. It’s problematic in two ways.
First, your primary sportsbook may not have the sport you are looking to bet on. Another bookie could have your event of choice, so this is going to require registering for multiple sportsbooks.
Second, while both sportsbooks might be offering the same event, they don’t share the same markets. You might be interested in laying money on a prop bet that you’ve circled for weeks, but much to your dismay, isn’t available.
With accounts at multiple betting sites, you can avoid running into this issue and bet on what you want, when you want!
✅ Superior Live Betting Software and Platforms
Live betting is a crucial tool for placing wagers on events while the game is in progress. It can be used to add to your pre-game bets, hedging, attempt to middle a point spread, or opening bet after getting a feel for the action.
However, not all live betting software is made equal. The software can be old and archaic at some sites, or not offered at all. Conversely, some online sportsbooks are offering the latest cutting-edge technology for in-game wagering.
It might be a case of a sportsbook not offering the best pre-game odds, but a superior live betting experience. You’ll want to have accounts on multiple betting sites to ensure all bases are covered.
The Sports Geek has an extensive list of the best live betting sites for you to find sportsbooks that best suit your needs!
✅ Arbitrage Opportunities
What is arbitrage? In short, arbitrage (also called “sure bet”) refers to wagering on both sides of a bet to guarantee a profit. Regardless of the winning side, the bet results in a profitable outcome.
To learn more about how to use arbitrage to your advantage and examples, please access our how-to-use arbitrage page. Executing arbitrage requires two sportsbooks with different odds. It isn’t possible to successfully arbitrage with only one online betting site.
Also, it’s worth having at least four or five options if you are serious about arbitrating. These arbitrage spots aren’t as numerous as they were in the past, so it’s going to take some patience and multiple sportsbooks.
✅ Overcome Being Limited
You might, unfortunately, be familiar with being limited by online sportsbooks! In its simplest terms, operators reserve the right to limit the maximum amount of money you can bet per wager
Generally, there is a chance of being limited if they aren’t interested in your business because you’re winning money. It is typically difficult to have this reversed by management. Once a limit is applied, it’s often permanent.
However, this can be avoided by registering at multiple sportsbooks. While being limited can be frustrating, there are other options available online. If you plan on making a lot of money betting on sports, accounts at two or more sites are a must!
Cons of Using Multiple Betting Sites
Although we recommend registering at as many sportsbooks as your bankroll allows, there are certainly some negatives associated with having multiple accounts open. Let’s break down the flip side of using more than one sportsbook:
Is Using Multiple Betting Sites Worth It?
For the majority of sports bettors, multiple online sportsbook accounts are definitely worth having. If your primary sportsbook doesn’t have what you are looking for or isn’t offering the best value, there is a good chance another operator has what you are looking for.
Quick access to line shopping and numerous odds are invaluable for serious sports bettors. We must note, though, that if you are a recreational bettor who only likes placing small bets occasionally, one sportsbook could be sufficient!
Whether you need one or multiple sites, The Sports Geek recommends having a Bovada account as your primary source of odds! Bovada offers a wide array of odds, live betting, and unique betting markets for sports, entertainment events, and novelty wagering.
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