Overall Comparison
BetMGM
Average vig · D
↑ 0.20% up since yesterday
Bovada ✔ Lower Vig
Average vig · C
↑ 0.18% up since yesterday
Bovada wins on 35 of 37 sports. The biggest gap is in MLB Preseason, where BetMGM charges 3.90% less vig. BetMGM is only competitive in MLB Preseason and NBA.
BetMGM and Bovada represent two fundamentally different approaches to sports betting. BetMGM operates as a fully regulated US sportsbook, licensed state by state and backed by the MGM Resorts empire. Bovada is an offshore operator based in Costa Rica, serving US bettors outside the regulated framework. This distinction shapes nearly everything about the two platforms — from how they handle deposits and withdrawals to how aggressively they manage sharp action. BetMGM typically prices its mainline markets competitively, benefiting from the liquidity and data infrastructure that comes with being a top-tier domestic book. Bovada tends to carry slightly wider margins on popular markets but can occasionally offer value on niche lines where regulated books are more conservative.
A bettor's preference between the two often comes down to priorities. BetMGM is the clear choice for anyone who values regulatory protection, fast and reliable payouts via bank transfer or PayPal, and access to promos tied to a legitimate rewards ecosystem (M Life). It's also the better option for casual and mid-level bettors who want a polished mobile experience and same-game parlays across major sports. Bovada, on the other hand, appeals to bettors in states without legal sports betting, those who prefer cryptocurrency transactions, or players who want access to a combined sportsbook-casino-poker platform under one roof. Bovada also tends to be more tolerant of winning players in the short term, whereas BetMGM has a well-documented reputation for limiting sharp bettors quickly.
Beyond vig, bettors should weigh practical factors carefully. BetMGM offers the security of state-regulated dispute resolution and guaranteed payouts, while Bovada's offshore status means bettors have limited legal recourse if issues arise. Bovada's withdrawal times, particularly for non-crypto methods, can stretch significantly longer. However, Bovada's betting limits on smaller markets often exceed what BetMGM will allow from flagged accounts. The live vig data on this page provides a market-by-market comparison — but the right book ultimately depends on whether a bettor prioritizes regulatory safety and convenience or accessibility and account longevity.
Vig Comparison by Sport
| Sport | BetMGM | Bovada | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| NCAAF | — | — | — |
| AFL | — | — | — |
| MLB | 4.45% | — | — |
| MLB Preseason | 4.86% | 8.76% | BetMGM |
| NCAA Baseball | 8.22% | 7.85% | Bovada |
| Basketball Euroleague | 5.14% | — | — |
| NBA | 5.24% | 5.29% | BetMGM |
| Boxing | — | 4.55% | — |
| International Twenty20 | — | — | — |
| IPL | — | — | — |
| One Day Internationals | — | — | — |
| AHL | — | — | — |
| Liiga | — | — | — |
| Mestis | — | — | — |
| NHL | 4.72% | 4.37% | Bovada |
| HockeyAllsvenskan | — | — | — |
| SHL | — | — | — |
| NCAA Lacrosse | 6.60% | — | — |
| MMA | 5.30% | — | — |
| NRL | — | — | — |
| State of Origin | — | — | — |
| Primera División - Argentina | 8.11% | 5.40% | Bovada |
| A-League | 8.20% | 5.26% | Bovada |
| Austrian Football Bundesliga | 8.26% | 6.61% | Bovada |
| Belgium First Div | 7.13% | — | — |
| Brazil Série A | 7.32% | 5.08% | Bovada |
| Brazil Série B | 9.18% | 7.22% | Bovada |
| Primera División - Chile | 8.25% | 6.36% | Bovada |
| Super League - China | — | 6.77% | — |
| Denmark Superliga | 8.55% | 6.10% | Bovada |
| Championship | 7.20% | 5.92% | Bovada |
| EFL Cup | 7.13% | 6.11% | Bovada |
| League 1 | 8.03% | 7.46% | Bovada |
| League 2 | 8.08% | 7.48% | Bovada |
| EPL | 6.92% | 4.90% | Bovada |
| FA Cup | 7.23% | 6.07% | Bovada |
| FIFA World Cup | 9.85% | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup Qualifiers - Europe | — | 6.70% | — |
| Coupe de France | — | — | — |
| Ligue 1 - France | 6.91% | 5.22% | Bovada |
| Ligue 2 - France | 8.10% | 5.87% | Bovada |
| Bundesliga - Germany | 7.05% | 4.96% | Bovada |
| Bundesliga 2 - Germany | 7.20% | 5.42% | Bovada |
| Frauen-Bundesliga | — | — | — |
| DFB-Pokal | — | — | — |
| 3. Liga - Germany | — | 7.84% | — |
| Super League - Greece | — | 5.99% | — |
| Serie A - Italy | 6.85% | 4.91% | Bovada |
| Serie B - Italy | 7.97% | 5.85% | Bovada |
| J League | 8.24% | — | — |
| K League 1 | 8.12% | 7.33% | Bovada |
| League of Ireland | 9.24% | 7.41% | Bovada |
| Liga MX | 7.56% | 6.01% | Bovada |
| Dutch Eredivisie | 7.33% | 5.20% | Bovada |
| Eliteserien - Norway | — | 6.43% | — |
| Ekstraklasa - Poland | 7.95% | 5.91% | Bovada |
| Primeira Liga - Portugal | 8.17% | 5.43% | Bovada |
| Premier League - Russia | — | 7.53% | — |
| Copa del Rey | 6.86% | — | — |
| La Liga - Spain | 6.93% | 4.85% | Bovada |
| La Liga 2 - Spain | 9.19% | 5.95% | Bovada |
| Premiership - Scotland | 7.83% | 7.33% | Bovada |
| Allsvenskan - Sweden | — | 5.22% | — |
| Swiss Superleague | 8.22% | 7.36% | Bovada |
| Turkey Super League | — | 5.76% | — |
| UEFA Champions League | 6.83% | 4.89% | Bovada |
| UEFA Europa Conference League | 9.13% | 7.35% | Bovada |
| UEFA Europa League | 6.76% | 6.74% | Bovada |
| MLS | — | 5.15% | — |
| ATP Indian Wells | 6.32% | 6.12% | Bovada |
| WTA Miami Open | — | — | — |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is BetMGM or Bovada better for odds?
Bovada currently offers lower vig overall. BetMGM averages 7.39% vig (D) while Bovada averages 6.13% vig (C).
How does BetMGM compare to Bovada by sport?
We compare both books across 71 sports. The comparison covers vig percentages, grades, and which book offers better odds per sport.
How does BetMGM vig rank among regulated books?
BetMGM typically sits in the middle of the pack among regulated US sportsbooks. Their vig is comparable to DraftKings and FanDuel, though it varies by sport and market. They compete primarily on brand recognition and their MGM Rewards loyalty program.
Does BetMGM have good odds for any specific sport?
BetMGM occasionally offers competitive pricing on NBA and NHL markets where they have strong trading desks. However, their overall vig profile is similar to other regulated books. Check our sport-by-sport breakdown above for current rankings.
Is Bovada a sharp or recreational sportsbook?
Bovada is a recreational-leaning sportsbook. They cater primarily to casual bettors with a user-friendly interface and lower maximum bet limits. Sharp bettors may find their accounts limited if they win consistently. Bovada's vig tends to be average to above-average.
What deposit methods does Bovada accept?
Bovada accepts credit/debit cards, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and other cryptocurrencies. Crypto deposits are processed faster and often come with lower minimum deposits. Bank wire is available for larger deposits.
How fast are Bovada payouts?
Cryptocurrency payouts are typically processed within 24 hours. Check payouts take 10–15 business days. Bovada has a reputation for reliable payouts, though the speed depends on the withdrawal method chosen.
What is vig (vigorish) in sports betting?
Vig — short for vigorish, also called juice or overround — is the margin a sportsbook builds into its odds. It's the difference between the true probability of an outcome and what the odds imply. Lower vig means you keep more of your winnings on every bet. For example, a standard -110/-110 line has about 4.76% vig.
How often is this data updated?
We pull fresh odds from The Odds API three times per day — at 6:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 10:00 PM UTC. Each snapshot captures the latest lines from every sportsbook that has posted odds. The timestamp at the top of the page shows the most recent refresh.
How is the vig grade calculated?
Each sportsbook is graded on a letter scale based on average vig: A+ (under 2%) is exceptional, A (2–3%) is excellent, B+ (3–4%) is above average, B (4–5%) is the industry standard, C (5–6%) is below average, and D (above 6%) indicates high-juice markets.
How We Calculate These Numbers
- Data Source
- All odds on this page come from The Odds API, which aggregates real-time lines from licensed US and offshore sportsbooks. We track moneyline, spread, and totals markets across every sport with active betting lines.
- Update Frequency
- We pull a fresh snapshot of every tracked market three times per day — at 6:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 10:00 PM UTC. Each snapshot captures the latest lines from every sportsbook that has posted odds for a given event. The timestamp at the top of each page tells you exactly when the data was last refreshed.
- Vig Calculation
- Vig (short for vigorish, also called juice or overround) measures the margin a sportsbook builds into its odds. We calculate it by converting the odds on each side of a market to implied probabilities, summing those probabilities, and subtracting 100%. For example, a market priced at -110/-110 implies 52.38% on each side — a total of 104.76%, meaning a vig of 4.76%. Lower vig means better value for bettors because you keep more of your winnings.
- Per-Market Breakdown
- We compute vig separately for each market type: moneyline (h2h), point spreads, and totals (over/under). The "average vig" shown for each sportsbook is the mean across all market types weighted by the number of events sampled in each market.
- Grading Scale
- Every sportsbook receives a letter grade based on its average vig: A+ (under 2%) is exceptional and rare — these are typically sharp-friendly books. A (2–3%) is excellent. B+ (3–4%) is above average. B (4–5%) is the industry standard for most recreational sportsbooks. C (5–6%) is below average. D (above 6%) indicates high-juice markets where bettors face a steep cost per wager.
- Trend Tracking
- We store daily snapshots for 30 days, allowing us to show 24-hour and 7-day vig trends. A downward trend (improving) means sportsbooks are tightening their lines — often in response to increased competition or higher betting volume as a season heats up.