Which Online Bookmakers Have the Lowest Vig?

Gambling.com Editor

September 19th, 2016

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Choosing an online bookmaker can be a tough task with so many offerings on the web to choose from. One way to ensure you're making the right choice is to consider the bookmaker's vig or vigorish to confirm you aren't paying a heavy fee just to place a bet.

Understanding what vig is and how it affects the bookmaker and the punter are vital to making the best choice when deciding on which online bookmaker to enjoy. Fortunately, we not only provide that info, Gambling.com has set punters up with a list of the world'd top online bookmakers with the lowest vig! For players in Ontario we also now have a dedicated Ontario Sports Betting page to find you the best operator.

What is a Bookmaker's Vig or Vigorish?

When a punter uses a bookmaker to place a bet, they are charged for the service. This charge is known by many names – the cut, the take, the juice or under-juice – but the term that has become standard is vigorish, or vig for short.

The bookmakers know that showing the charge on top of the bet would not make for a happy customer who's likely to return, so the charge is included in the bet. This sensible solution to ensure a profit margin means that the betting shop makes money regardless of whether their customer wins or loses.

What Affects a Bookmaker's Vig?

All bets have some form of vig worked into them, but the size of the vig can vary wildly between bookmakers and is one of the many factors that differentiates the odds from one sportsbook to another. It will also vary wildly between different sports, or different markets in the same sport.

For example, if you look at the football market, the English Premiership is consistently low in terms of vig, whereas Scottish Championship matches tend to have quite a high vig attached, as do those in European leagues such as Italy’s Serie A.

The more popular a market, the lower the vig will likely be, because a lot more people are going to bet on Arsenal vs Hull than Hibernian vs Ayr. In order to compose the following list of the top online bookies with the lowest vig, Gambling.com concentrated on bookies' vig for the football market.

Top Online Bookmakers with the Lowest Vig

1. NetBet

   NetBet started as a casino site that grew to include a sportsbook as part of its offering. While its vig is not as competitive as Leo Vegas' new online bookmaker, the odds for the popular English Premiership League (EPL) market prove to be average, while its offerings north of the border are equally middling.

   It fares far better in the European markets, beating both Ladbrokes and Coral. Its bonus of a £50 free bet could be very persuasive to new players. Follow our secure link to NetBet today to enjoy this exclusive deal while it lasts!

2. Coral Sports

   Coral is a main staple of the high street, dating back to 1926 when founder Joe Coral operated betting pitches for his local greyhound track, but its vig suggests it has forgotten its roots. The bookmaker returned some of the highest vig results for the UK main tournaments.

   Delving further down into the lower leagues, however, Coral offers very reasonable odds, while its European vig is lower than fellow high street betting shop Ladbrokes. Coral Sports is currently offering a bonus £20 free bet if you sign up today!

3. Ladbrokes

   Ladbrokes has a long-term partnership with the English FA, covering the national team and the Emirates FA Cup, so it is only fitting that the vig on their English Premiership games is competitively low, managing to beat out bet365, though not LeoVegas.

   However, out with English football, Ladbrokes' vig proved to be astronomical, showing the highest juice in Scotland out of all the bookmakers analysed. That said, the vig surrounding its European fixtures is in line with the average. The bookie is also generously offering new players a £50 free bet!

4. bet365

   bet365 is well-known for its competitive odds, as well as having the naming rights to Stoke City’s football ground, so it was a surprise that the vig on their Premier League offerings is higher than Leo Vegas'. However, the bookmaker had lower vig in the other markets tested, proving its reputation as a fair bookie for a punter who likes top spread bets across all markets.

   In addition to that, the site is offering an impressive 100% First Deposit Bonus up to an enticing £200. If you head over to bet365 Sports now you'll be sure to enjoy this exclusive offer before it runs out!

5. Leo Vegas Sports

   Although Leo Vegas started life as a casino like NetBet, it also has a fresh online sportsbook alongside a sponsorship deal at the SSE Wembley Arena. Upon testing ten games from different leagues, Leo Vegas Sports managed to show the lowest vig for English Premiership games by a large margin.

   It also fared well in other, lesser played markets such as Scotland, Germany, Italy and Spain, though not lowest overall. To entice you further, Leo Vegas' bookmaker is currently offering a £30 free bet for new players. Anyone looking to enjoy this generous promotion only needs to open an account today!

More to Consider Than Just the Vig

While it's easy to simply analyse numbers and pick the lowest vig, the juice is just part of the equation, especially when only looking at one sport as a brief example. Rates will fluctuate between sites and to truly build an impression of vig, you need to analyse a large catchment of odds over multiple sites and sports.

Besides, vig is not the be all and end all of picking a bookmaker. Other aspects come into play, such as brand loyalty and ease of use, but for many players, the most important aspect is a befitting bonus.

Games or matches with lower vigs will tend to attract fewer bonuses, and the reason larger bookmakers can afford to offer such large bonuses and healthy loyalty schemes is because they have their vig profit margin clearly defined. So, while vig may seem like a service charge, it keeps the bookmakers running and allows them in turn to treat their customers to bigger promotions.