By Alex Rivera
More young people are betting on sports than ever. With influencers like Mikki Mase and Secured Tyson, a barrage of advertising and meme-driven hype on socials, it can be hard to figure out if betting is a real side hustle or just a fad. In this article, we’ll break down the difference between serious betting and doing it for fun, how the numbers work and how much bettors really win.
Casual vs. Serious Betting
Most bettors fall into the casual category, placing small wagers a few times a week or getting in on events like March Madness. For bettors like these, long-term profit isn’t really the goal. Everyone wants to win, but casual bettors treat losses just like the price of the hobby.
Serious bettors, on the other hand, are in it for profit. Players in this category are dedicated, tracking stats and using comparison models, shopping lines to get the best value. Some people in this category even pay for professional picks to give themselves an extra edge. On the surface, you may not see big differences between these two types of bettor, but the difference is clear when it comes to profit.
Understanding Win Rates and House Edge
How serious bettors really make a profit isn’t by being a good guesser, it’s by beating the house edge. Edge is the built-in margins that allow sportsbooks to stay profitable. In a standard bet with -110 odds on both sides, you’d need to win about 53% of your bets to break even.
Most casual bettors are just missing this mark, winning about 49% of their bets. Over time, this adds up to a loss, even if it feels like you’re winning a lot of bets. Even pros struggle to consistently beat the books, it takes a lot of hard work and a good bit of math. Turning to sharp sportsbooks, with lower vig and higher limits, can help you make more over time.
Estimated Average Returns
No figure really fits every bettor, so there’s no true average. Most casual bettors lose over time. If you’re placing small bets a few times a week, you may break even or lose about 5% over your betting career. That works out to about $130 a year.
Serious bettors, or those who treat it like a true side hustle, usually aim for a 3-5% return on their investment. That means someone who bets about $50,000 a year with a good win rate, could be up about $3,000 by the end of the year. The key, though, is discipline, research, and solid bankroll management.
How can you win long-term?
Long-term success in sports betting might be rare, but that doesn’t mean impossible. Here’s a few key tips from consistent winners:
- Specialize in one sport or market
- Use models, data, or custom spreadsheets
- Shop lines aggressively across multiple sportsbooks
- Practice strict bankroll management
- Avoid chasing losses or betting emotionally
Winning isn’t just about picking winners — it’s about making smart bets, managing your risk, and staying disciplined.
About the Author: Alex is a long-time journalist for NewsWatch, using his expertise to explain to readers how technology is reshaping society beyond mere gadgets and algorithms. His reporting cuts through industry hype to reveal the human stories behind technical innovations, offering readers a thoughtful perspective on where our digital future is heading.
