Find the best sports betting APIs for building odds comparison tools, betting calculators, and betting-adjacent applications.
A sports betting API provides the data and functionality needed to build betting-related applications. Unlike pure odds APIs that focus solely on betting lines, sports betting APIs often include a broader set of features designed specifically for betting use cases.
These APIs power a wide range of applications: odds comparison websites, betting calculators, tipster platforms, arbitrage tools, affiliate sites, and analytical tools for serious bettors.
When building betting applications, these API features are most important:
The foundation of any betting application. Look for:
Know the outcome of bets for tracking and verification:
Critical for: bet tracking apps, tipster verification, P&L reporting
Direct users to sportsbooks with pre-filled bet slips:
Essential for: affiliate sites, odds comparison tools, bet recommendation apps
Advanced markets beyond game lines:
See our Player Props API guide for detailed coverage.
Past data for analysis and backtesting:
See our Historical Odds API guide for detailed coverage.
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are distinctions:
Primary Focus:
Typical Use Cases:
Includes Odds Plus:
Typical Use Cases:
If you just need odds for comparison or analysis, a standard odds API is sufficient. If you're building a complete betting platform with bet tracking, affiliate links, or settlement verification, look for a comprehensive sports betting API with those features.
Sports betting APIs enable a variety of applications:
Show users the best odds across multiple sportsbooks for any game. Monetize through affiliate links when users click to place bets.
Key features needed: Multi-book odds, deeplinks, real-time updates
Build parlay calculators, arbitrage finders, expected value calculators, or hedge calculators using real odds data.
Key features needed: Current odds, multiple markets, implied probabilities
Let users log their bets, track performance over time, analyze ROI by sport/bet type, and verify results automatically.
Key features needed: Bet settlement data, historical odds, P&L calculations
Provide betting recommendations with verifiable results. Track record is automatically verified against actual outcomes.
Key features needed: Bet settlements, closing line value, historical verification
Detect arbitrage opportunities or positive expected value bets across sportsbooks in real-time or near-real-time.
Key features needed: Low-latency odds, multi-book coverage, sharp lines
Analyze betting market efficiency, track CLV, backtest strategies, and provide data-driven insights to bettors.
Key features needed: Historical data, closing lines, line movement
Compare providers by betting-specific features: settlements, deeplinks, props, and more.
Browse API Directory →Building betting applications involves understanding the legal landscape:
Best practice: Implement geolocation to show appropriate content/links based on user location.
This is general information, not legal advice. Consult with a lawyer familiar with gambling regulations in your target markets before launching betting-related applications.
Evaluate providers based on your specific betting application needs:
How many sportsbooks does the API cover? Do they include the major US books (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars) plus sharp books (Pinnacle)?
Do you need player props, SGPs, or alternate lines? Many APIs only cover main markets. Check if your needed markets are included.
If you need bet tracking or verification, ensure the API provides settlement/results data, not just odds.
For affiliate monetization, check if the API provides deeplinks and how affiliate tracking works.
How often do odds update? For live betting or arbitrage, you need low-latency updates. For daily comparison, hourly is sufficient.
For CLV analysis or backtesting, you need historical odds and closing lines. Check how far back the data goes.
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Join Discord Community →A sports betting API provides data and functionality for building betting-related applications. This includes odds from sportsbooks, bet settlement results, deeplinks to place bets, player props, and related sports data. These APIs power odds comparison sites, betting calculators, tipster platforms, and affiliate applications.
An odds API focuses specifically on betting lines from sportsbooks. A sports betting API is broader, potentially including odds plus bet settlements, deeplinks, player props, and other betting-specific features. Odds APIs are a subset of what comprehensive betting APIs offer.
You can build betting-adjacent apps (odds comparison, calculators, analytics) with APIs. However, to let users actually place bets, you need either: 1) A sportsbook license to operate your own book, or 2) Affiliate partnerships with sportsbooks using their deeplinks. APIs provide data, not betting infrastructure.
Yes, using APIs to access odds data is legal. The APIs provide information, not gambling services. What you build with the data may have legal considerations depending on your jurisdiction. Odds comparison and analytics tools are generally legal. Operating a sportsbook requires proper licensing.
Coverage varies by provider. Look for APIs covering major US books (DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, BetRivers) plus international/sharp books (Pinnacle, Bet365). Some providers specialize in US markets, others have broader international coverage. Compare all providers in our directory.
Some do, but props coverage varies significantly. Player props are more complex to maintain, so many APIs only offer main markets (moneyline, spread, total). If you need props, check our player props API guide for providers with good coverage.
Common monetization strategies: 1) Affiliate revenue through deeplinks to sportsbooks, 2) Subscription fees for premium features/data, 3) Advertising, 4) Freemium model (free basic, paid advanced). Affiliate programs pay per signup or percentage of user losses.
Compare sports betting API providers by features, sportsbook coverage, and pricing. Join our community of developers building betting applications.