There is a big difference between Theoretical Margin (what the odds say a bookmaker should win) and Actual Hold (what the bookmaker actually keeps).
Whether you are a Pay-Per-Head (PPH) agent, an investor analyzing state gambling reports, or a bettor trying to understand casino financials, the numbers tell the story. While the “Vig” is built into the odds, the “Hold” is determined by the outcome of the games and the flow of money. Our Sportsbook Hold Calculator computes the most critical metric in the industry: the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) and Hold Percentage.
Sportsbook Hold Calc
RevenueHow to Use the Sportsbook Hold Calculator
This tool is designed to analyze financial performance based on cash flow. Unlike an odds calculator, this works with real money totals (The Handle) and real losses (The Payouts).
- Enter Total Handle: This is the total volume of bets accepted (often called “The Write”).
- Example: A sportsbook took $1,000,000 in bets during the Super Bowl.
- Enter Total Payouts: This is the total amount of money returned to winning players.
- Example: The public won most of their bets, so the book had to pay out $950,000.
- Analyze the Results:
- Actual Hold %: This is the percentage of the handle the house kept. Industry standard is usually 5% to 7%.
- Gross Revenue (GGR): The raw profit in dollars (Handle minus Payouts).
- Negative Hold: If Payouts exceed the Handle, the calculator will show a loss (Negative GGR).
Related Tools: If you want to calculate the theoretical margin built into the odds before the game starts (e.g., -110 lines), use our Vig / Margin Calculator. To predict potential profits based on turnover and margin, try the Sportsbook Revenue Simulator.
Real-World Examples: Handle vs. Hold
Understanding the difference between the volume of bets and the actual profit is key to analyzing the betting industry.
Example 1: The Balanced Day (Standard Hold)
A bookmaker takes $500,000 in bets on an NFL Sunday. The action is well-balanced between favorites and underdogs. The book pays out $465,000 to winners.
- Revenue (GGR): $35,000.
- Hold Percentage: 7.0%.
- Verdict: This is a healthy, sustainable business day for the sportsbook.
Example 2: “The Public Wins” (Negative Hold)
A bookmaker takes $100,000 on a high-profile boxing match. The heavy favorite wins by KO, and the public heavily backed him. The book collects the losing bets but must pay out $110,000 to the winners.
- Revenue (GGR): -$10,000.
- Hold Percentage: -10.0%.
- Verdict: A losing day for the house. Even if the odds had a 5% margin built in, the Actual Hold was negative because the results went against the house.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between Hold and Vig?
Vig (Vigorish) or Margin is the theoretical mathematical advantage built into the odds (e.g., 4.5% on a -110 line). Hold is the actual percentage of money kept after the games are played. Vig is expected; Hold is realized.
What is a “Handle”?
Handle is the total amount of money wagered by players over a specific period or on a specific event. It represents the total volume of business before any payouts are made.
Why is the Hold % higher on Parlays?
Sportsbooks typically hold 15% to 30% on parlays compared to 5% on straight bets. This is because parlays have a higher theoretical margin and are much harder for players to win consistently, leading to fewer payouts relative to the handle.