What Is a Good ROI in Long-Term Sports Betting?
In sports betting, it’s easy to get caught up in wins and losses, but savvy bettors focus on something much more revealing: ROI — return on investment. Understanding ROI is essential if you’re serious about betting long-term, because it gives a clear picture of how efficiently you’re turning your money into profit.
But what counts as a “good” ROI in betting? Is 10% impressive? Is 2% enough? Let’s break it down.
What is ROI in Sports Betting?
ROI (Return on Investment) in betting measures how much profit you’ve made in relation to how much you’ve staked. It helps standardize performance, especially if you place hundreds or thousands of bets over time.
Formula:
ROI = (Profit / Total Amount Staked) x 100So if you’ve staked $10,000 across all your bets and made a profit of $500, your ROI is:
(500 / 10,000) x 100 = 5%That 5% tells you that for every dollar you wagered, you made 5 cents in return.
What Different ROI Levels Mean in Practice
| ROI Percentage | Interpretation | Typical Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| 0% or negative | Losing or break-even | Recreational bettor or poor strategy |
| 1% to 2% | Low but sustainable for high volume | Sharp bettors with large bankrolls |
| 3% to 5% | Strong ROI for serious bettors | Solid strategy, consistent edge |
| 6% to 10% | Excellent, rare over long term | Elite bettors or very niche markets |
| 10%+ | Likely unsustainable or short-term | Luck, small sample size, or soft bookmaker |
What Influences Your ROI?
Several factors affect your long-term return, including:
- Type of market: Major sports and leagues are harder to beat. Lesser-known leagues often offer better ROI due to softer odds.
- Odds range: Value betting at odds of 2.00+ can improve ROI if successful.
- Staking strategy: Flat betting vs. variable staking impacts short-term variance.
- Line shopping: Better odds across different bookmakers = better ROI.
- Volume: High volume may lower ROI %, but increase total profit.
Checklist: How to Build Toward a Positive ROI
Want to become a more efficient bettor? Use this checklist:
✅ Track every bet: stake, odds, outcome, sport, market
✅ Focus on value, not just win percentage
✅ Stick to one staking strategy (flat or percentage-based)
✅ Specialize in one or two leagues to find patterns
✅ Review results monthly, not daily
✅ Adjust only when you have enough data (300+ bets is a baseline)
✅ Avoid chasing losses or betting emotionally
In long-term sports betting, ROI is king. While hitting 10% may sound exciting, even a consistent 2–3% ROI over thousands of bets can make you a profitable bettor. That’s because betting is a grind, not a sprint.
So forget the hype about “doubling your money overnight.” Focus on sustainable, data-driven results. Track your ROI, stay disciplined, and treat your bankroll like an investment portfolio. That’s how winning bettors play the long game.