Spread betting is a wagering format where profits or losses depend on how far the result deviates from a predicted range, not just whether it wins or loses.

It is common in financial-style sports betting.

How it works

• A spread is set instead of fixed odds

• Profit or loss increases with each point away from the spread

• Bets are settled per unit movement

Example

• Spread on total points: 45–47

• You buy at 47

• Final total: 52

• Profit = 5 units

Key characteristics

• No fixed maximum payout or loss

• Higher risk than fixed-odds betting

• Requires strong statistical analysis

Important note
Losses can exceed the initial stake, making spread betting unsuitable for most casual bettors.