The question what does handle mean in betting is a common one that comes most notably among novice sports bettors. However, recapping the concept is also helpful for experienced bettors as well.
What is Handle in Betting?
Handle in sports betting refers to the total amount of money wagered by all bettors on any given sporting event or sports bet across any given period of time. Furthermore, the betting handle is used by offshore sportsbooks to calculate odds in order to reduce their risk.
Betting Handle and Betting Revenue Explained
Betting Handle
The term handle in sports betting refers to the total amount of dollars bet on a specific event or betting market over a specific timeframe. It is used to define the betting odds
When you bet, you are contributing to the overall betting handle. It does not matter which sports you are wagering on.
Betting Revenue
Conversely, betting revenue refers to the bookmaker’s profits from more bets placed. Thus, the key difference between the two is the profit vs. the amount wagered.
Sports betting revenue continues to grow in the US, and the way sportsbooks, including the top Reddit sportsbooks, earn their revenue is by applying what is known as vig, or juice, to particular betting markets.
Betting Handle and Betting Hold Explained
Below is a quick recap of the difference between the betting handle and the betting hold.
Betting Handle
- The total amount wagered on a sporting event.
- Does not include the bet types or profit margins.
Betting Hold
- The total earnings from all wagers that encompass the handle.
- Also means betting revenue for sportsbooks.