Overall Comparison
Bovada ✔ Lower Vig
Average vig · C+
FanDuel
Average vig · C
↓ 0.12% down since yesterday
7-day trend: Bovada has improved by 0.34% over the past week; FanDuel has improved by 0.17%.
Bovada wins on 9 of 18 sports. The biggest gap is in Dutch Eredivisie, where Bovada charges 1.92% less vig.
Bovada and FanDuel represent two fundamentally different models in the US sports betting landscape. FanDuel operates as a fully regulated, state-licensed sportsbook with deep roots in daily fantasy sports, now one of the largest legal operators in the country. It generates revenue through volume, promotional acquisition spending, and competitive but carefully managed margins. Bovada, by contrast, is an offshore operator based in Costa Rica that has served US bettors for over a decade outside the domestic regulatory framework. Its vig structure can vary significantly by market, and it tends to be less aggressive with promotional pricing than FanDuel, though it often offers more flexibility in what it will book and at what limits for recreational players.
Bettors who prioritize legal protections, fast deposits through mainstream banking, and a polished mobile experience will generally prefer FanDuel. Its app is among the best in the industry, payouts to linked bank accounts are reliable and quick, and customer support operates within a regulated dispute resolution framework. FanDuel also frequently offers boosted odds promotions and same-game parlays with strong liquidity. Bovada appeals to a different profile — bettors in states without legal options, those who value anonymity, or players who want access to props, futures, and alternative lines that regulated books may not offer. Bovada also accepts cryptocurrency, which some bettors prefer for deposit and withdrawal speed.
Beyond vig, the practical differences matter. FanDuel enforces sharp bettor limits aggressively, and winning players may find their accounts restricted over time. Bovada is generally more tolerant of recreational winners but offers fewer withdrawal methods and slower fiat payouts. Bettors should also weigh the lack of regulatory recourse with offshore books — if a dispute arises with Bovada, there is no state gaming commission to escalate to. The live vig data on this page can highlight where each book offers better value on specific lines, but the decision between them often comes down to access, risk tolerance, and what a bettor values beyond the number itself.
Vig Comparison by Sport
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bovada or FanDuel better for odds?
Bovada currently offers lower vig overall. Bovada averages 5.49% vig (C+) while FanDuel averages 6.51% vig (C).
How does Bovada compare to FanDuel by sport?
We compare both books across 80 sports. The comparison covers vig percentages, grades, and which book offers better odds per sport.
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.
How does FanDuel vig compare to DraftKings?
FanDuel and DraftKings typically have similar vig levels as regulated US sportsbooks. FanDuel occasionally edges ahead on specific markets. Both tend to have higher base vig than offshore books, but offer promotions and same-game parlays to attract recreational bettors.
What makes FanDuel different from offshore sportsbooks?
FanDuel is a regulated, licensed sportsbook operating under state gaming commissions. This means deposit/withdrawal protection, tax reporting, and legal recourse if disputes arise. The tradeoff is generally higher vig and more aggressive bettor limiting compared to offshore alternatives.
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 exchange-level pricing. A (2–3%) is very competitive. B+ (3–4%) is above average. B (4–5%) is the industry standard — a -110/-110 line is 4.76%. C+ (5–6%) is slightly below average. C (6–7%) is below average. D (7–8%) is high vig. D− (8–10%) is very high vig. F (10%+) is predatory pricing. See the full Vig Index Methodology for formulas, worked examples, and known limitations.
- 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.