How Much Money Do You Lose by Using Only One Sportsbook
Most sports bettors pick a sportsbook and stick with it. It feels easier. One app. One wallet. One DJ Bet login. But that convenience comes at a cost. And over time, it’s not small. Using only one sportsbook quietly drains money from your bankroll through worse odds, limited bonuses, and missed opportunities. You may not notice it bet to bet. Over a full season, though, the difference is real and measurable. Let’s break down how that money is lost, using clear examples and real-season math.
Odds Shopping: The Cost You Don’t See
Sportsbooks don’t offer the same odds. Even on the same game, prices vary. If you only use one book, you accept whatever number they post. That difference might look tiny. It isn’t.
Side-by-Side Example: Point Spread
You want to bet on an NFL favorite.
- Sportsbook A: Team -3 at -110
- Sportsbook B: Team -3 at -105
Betting $110 to win $100:
- At -110, you risk $110.
- At -105, you risk $105.
Same bet. Same result. One book costs you $5 more every time. Now scale that. If you place 200 spread bets in a season, that’s $1,000 lost just by not shopping lines. And that’s a conservative estimate.
Moneylines: Where the Damage Grows
Moneyline bets often show even bigger gaps.
Side-by-Side Example: Moneyline
Underdog price on the same game:
- Sportsbook A: +145
- Sportsbook B: +160
A $100 bet returns:
- $145 at Book A
- $160 at Book B
You lose $15 in value on a single wager. If you bet underdogs regularly, using one book can cut deeply into long-term profit, even if your picks are good.
Totals and Player Props: Silent Value Killers
Totals and props are where sportsbooks get creative with pricing.
You might see:
- Over 48.5 at -115
- Over 48.5 at -105 elsewhere
Or on a player prop:
- Over 72.5 yards at -120
- Same prop at -102
Those extra cents matter. Especially on markets where margins are already thin. Many bettors focus on picks and ignore price. Books count on that.
Hidden Costs Beyond the Odds
Odds are just the start. Using one sportsbook also limits your access to value in other ways.
Missed Promotions
Different books run different offers.
- Odds boosts
- Bet-and-get deals
- Insurance promos
- Reload bonuses
If your book doesn’t have a promo that week, you get nothing. Another book might offer risk-free value that directly improves expected return. Over a season, those offers can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars in extra equity.
Limited Betting Options
Some books shade lines aggressively on particular sports or teams. Others post earlier or hang softer numbers longer. With one book, you’re locked into their strengths and weaknesses. You don’t get to pick the best number. You take what they give you.
Real Season Impact: The Math Adds Up
Let’s look at a realistic season for a moderately active bettor.
- 300 bets total
- Average wager: $100
- Mix of spreads, totals, and moneylines
Assume:
- Average price difference of just 5 cents
- No access to competing promos or boosts
Odds Cost Alone
5 cents per $100 bet × 300 bets = $1,500 lost
Missed Promotions (Conservative)
- 10 missed boosts or promos worth $25 each = $250
Total Seasonal Loss
$1,750
And that’s not a worst-case scenario. Many bettors lose more without realizing why.
They blame bad luck. Or variance. Or refs. In reality, the math was working against them all season.
Why Sportsbooks Want You Loyal
Sportsbooks love single-book users.
It means:
- Less price sensitivity
- Fewer withdrawals
- Higher margins
Loyalty feels rewarded. But in betting, loyalty usually benefits the house, not the player. Sharp bettors treat sportsbooks like tools. They use whichever one offers the best number for that specific bet. Nothing more.
The Bottom Line
Using only one sportsbook doesn’t guarantee you’ll lose. But it does guarantee you’ll lose value. And in sports betting, value is everything.
You can make smart picks and still fall short if you consistently accept worse prices. Over time, small edges compound. So do small mistakes. Having multiple sportsbooks isn’t about betting more. It’s about betting smarter. Same bets. Same risk. Better numbers. And over a season, that difference shows up clearly in your balance.