Over the past few years, betting individual game props has become big business for online sportsbooks. Game props used to be considered novelty bets that were designed to attract avid sports bettors to one online book over the other.
Expanded Betting Boards With Game Props
Offshore sportsbooks led the way by expanding their prop bet options for daily games. While bettors expected to see multiple pages of props for a major sports betting event such as the NFL’s annual Super Bowl, these lists started to expand for daily matchups in the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
Along with overall game props and props tied to scoring, individual player props tend to attract most of the attention.
This has strong ties to the popularity of daily fantasy sports (DFS). If you expect your DFS’s starting quarterback to have a big day throwing the ball, you should probably back that up with few timely player prop bets.
OFFSHORE VS. US SPORTSBOOKS: COLLEGE BASKETBALL SEASON
DFS & Game Props
The issue today between the global offshore books and their US counterparts is not about availability. You could still give the clear edge to offshore books when it comes to the range and scope of daily prop bet options.
However, the US-based books have done a pretty good job at keeping pace. Even though they’ve kept pace, they can’t keep up with top online books like America’s Bookie.
The big difference between the two is the actual betting limits imposed by the US books. As mentioned, betting daily props has taken on a much more prominent role in the overall sports betting strategy.
Make the Game Even More Exciting
More and more avid bettors are only betting on props for some of the highest profile games. Think about a straight bet on the point spread or total line. This is a win or lose scenario unless the bet somehow ends up as a PUSH.
By going big on a couple of props with favorable odds, you can create a much higher return on investment by spreading things around. Offshore books tend to have much higher betting limits on these types of bets.
Global online books do cater to high rollers. However, they also understand the importance of building a strong base of business around recreational bettors. The US-based books tend to see things the other way. They will market their services to recreational bettors. All while keeping their overall risk in check with lower betting limits for high volume players.
The US books are dealing with a much higher cost structure than offshore books. They face steep tax rates and license fees on a state-by-state basis. Offshore books are financially tied to their country of origin such as Costa Rica.
Licensing and Tax Structure – Offshore vs. US
The licensing and tax structure in that jurisdiction is far more manageable for online books that have been in operation for more than two decades.
US books are forced to compete against one another for overall market share in each state they operate in.
Free bet welcome offers come right off the bottom line as a direct cost of player acquisition. This is another big reason why US books are not as competitive in a number of categories as compared to offshore sports betting sites.
To gain a solid perspective on game props and corresponding betting limits, you should take some time to compare the two. Check out the daily betting board at any of the top-rated offshore books and then compare that board to what you find at a US-based sportsbook.
