For serious punters in South Africa looking to gain an edge when betting on soccer, understanding bookmaker margins and identifying which sites offer the lowest overrounds is crucial. Calculating margins allows you to compare the true value and potential payouts across different betting sites South Africa before placing your wagers.
Here’s a look at some of the top sportsbooks for soccer betting in South Africa along with how to calculate their margins and make an informed decision:
Hollywoodbets Margins Around 4-5%
As one of the biggest homegrown brands, Hollywoodbets is favored for their competitive soccer odds across major leagues and competitions. Their margins typically range from 4-5% for popular matches.
For example, if Hollywoodbets has odds of: Manchester United 1.95 – Draw 3.60 – Chelsea 4.00
We can calculate their overround percentage as: Overround % = (1/1.95 + 1/3.60 + 1/4.00) x 100 = 104.5%
This equates to a margin of around 4.5% for this soccer match.
Betway Margins 4-5.5%
The global Betway brand provides some of the sharpest soccer pricing in South Africa with margins of 4-5.5% for top leagues like the Premier League, Serie A, World Cup, etc.
Let’s say Betway is offering: Barcelona 2.10 – Draw 3.30 – Real Madrid 3.75
Here the overround is: (1/2.10 + 1/3.30 + 1/3.75) x 100 = 105.2% Margin = 5.2%
So while still quite low, Betway’s margin exceeds 5% for this La Liga match.
BetXchange Margins 2-3%
One of the best options for low margins is BetXchange since it operates an exchange betting model that effectively removes the bookmaker overround. Their margins are just 2-3% on soccer.
If the exchange odds were: Liverpool 2.50 – Draw 3.40 – Man City 3.10
The overround would be: (1/2.50 + 1/3.40 + 1/3.10) x 100 = 103% Equating to a 3% margin.
Sportingbet Margins 4.5-6%
An early mover in the South African market, Sportingbet remains competitive for soccer with margins from 4.5-6% across different leagues and games.
For instance, if they list: Egypt 3.25 Draw 2.90 Nigeria 2.45
The overround would calculate as: (1/3.25 + 1/2.90 + 1/2.45) x 100 = 106% Margin = 6%
By comparing overrounds across multiple sportsbooks, you can identify which betting sites offer the lowest margins for soccer matches you’re interested in. Lower margins directly translate to better odds and higher potential payouts.
Other Factors Beyond Just Margins
While crucial, margins aren’t the only consideration for choosing your ideal soccer bookmaker in South Africa. You’ll also want to evaluate factors like:
- Coverage/Depth of Soccer Leagues & Markets
- Mobile Betting Apps & Live Betting Capabilities
- Promotions, Free Bets, Bonuses, & Rewards
- Banking Options & Customer Service
- Design, UX, Stats/Analysis Tools
However, by prioritizing sportsbooks with tight 2-5% margins through calculating overrounds, you’ll ensure you’re consistently receiving the best possible soccer odds to maximize your chances of beating the books over the long run.
