How can betting platforms encourage community-driven odds for a fair betting experience?
- Greg Kajewski
- Oct 2
- 10 min read
Community-driven odds let bettors, not bookmakers, set and negotiate odds through peer-to-peer interactions. This approach removes the house edge, increases transparency, and allows users to create their own betting markets.
Here’s why this matters:
More Control: Bettors decide odds collectively instead of relying on pre-set bookmaker lines.
Lower Costs: Platforms often eliminate or reduce the "vig" (commission), keeping more winnings in players' hands.
Transparency: Open records and user voting ensure fairness and accountability.
Social Interaction: Group betting features, leaderboards, and shared insights create a collaborative experience.
Unlike sportsbook models, where odds are fixed and often opaque, community-driven platforms empower users to shape their betting experience while promoting trust and shared knowledge.
Problems with Bookmaker-Set Odds
Traditional sportsbooks in the U.S. create obstacles that limit fair and transparent betting experiences. These challenges are most evident in the lack of control bettors have over the odds they’re offered.
Bettors Have No Control Over Odds
Unlike collaborative betting models, traditional sportsbooks require bettors to accept the odds presented to them without any room for negotiation. This dynamic leaves all the power in the hands of the sportsbook.
The issue becomes even more concerning when sportsbooks target successful bettors. In September 2024, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission held a roundtable with major U.S. sportsbooks after receiving 60 complaints about betting restrictions. During this discussion, BetMGM admitted to limiting around 1% of their Massachusetts customers, while Fanatics disclosed that nearly half of their restricted users were net losers at the time their accounts were limited.
As gambling journalist Jeff Edelstein pointed out:
"You've heard them talk about advantage players. The translation for that is a good player, a good bettor, a smart player. They are saying, 'We don't want smart players. We don't want good players, because we see them as a threat.'"
This practice of targeting skilled bettors not only undermines fair competition but also suggests sportsbooks prefer uninformed participants over knowledgeable ones. It underscores the need for betting models that prioritize transparency and mutual engagement.
Hidden Odds Calculations
Traditional sportsbooks also fail to provide clarity on how odds are determined. Bettors are left in the dark about the algorithms, data, and reasoning behind the numbers they’re expected to wager on.
As SCCG Management aptly noted, "Opacity breeds suspicion". Without insight into how odds are calculated, bettors are left wondering whether they’re being treated fairly or manipulated by systems designed to maximize profits.
For example, live odds shown in advertisements often display average decimal odds of 7.4 (+640 in American odds), which equates to an implied probability of just 13.5%. This setup is highly profitable for sportsbooks. However, bettors have no way to verify these figures or assess the true value of the odds being offered.
Consultant Brianne Doura-Schawohl highlighted this lack of fairness:
"If I win and I win enough, I actually can't play with you. From a consumer perspective, to me, this really calls in question the truth of advertising."
A study conducted in 2023 revealed that the sports betting market is largely efficient, meaning no odds-based strategy will reliably produce long-term profits. Yet, the lack of transparency in odds-setting obscures this reality, making it harder for bettors to make informed decisions. These problems point to the importance of betting models that prioritize openness and collaboration.
Betting Alone Instead of With Others
Another drawback of traditional sportsbooks is the isolated nature of the experience. Unlike collaborative models, sportsbook betting often feels like a solitary activity, pitting individuals against a corporate entity rather than fostering social interaction.
This isolation has contributed to negative changes in fan behavior. NBA player Tyrese Haliburton shared how his social media is flooded with angry messages from bettors upset over losing parlays:
"If I have a good game, it's just like 'Yeah, you're supposed to.' If you have a bad game, it's like, 'Why'd you f*** up my parlay?' It's like, 'I'm sorry.'"
By betting alone, individuals miss out on opportunities to learn from others or collaborate to discover better value. This lack of community interaction also removes natural checks and balances that could help mitigate risky behaviors. Alarmingly, one-quarter of sports bettors have struggled to pay bills due to gambling, and 30% report having accumulated gambling-related debt. Meanwhile, only about 3% of sports bettors achieve long-term success.
Brian Chappell, founder of Justice for Punters, summed up the issue:
"Like the U.K., the large [bookmaking] corporations they have licensed aren't bookmakers; they are accountants who find risk unacceptable."
This corporate-driven approach strips away the human element and the potential for collaboration, making sports betting less equitable and less engaging. These challenges highlight the need for betting systems that focus on transparency, fairness, and community interaction.
How to Build Community-Driven Odds
Traditional sportsbooks often fall short when it comes to transparency, fairness, and community involvement. To address these gaps, betting platforms are turning to community-driven odds, which focus on empowering users through tools that encourage interaction and collaborative decision-making.
Using Peer-to-Peer Betting
One way to tackle the issues of traditional odds is through peer-to-peer betting. This approach removes the bookmaker from the equation, letting bettors compete directly with each other. As a result, the odds are shaped by market sentiment rather than a bookmaker’s profit margins.
For example, a platform launched in September 2024 saw a massive surge in activity, with its monthly transaction volume increasing fiftyfold. This translated to over US$2 billion in annualized transactions. Impressively, more than 90% of trades on the platform are now fully peer-to-peer, and users are three times more likely to stay active compared to those using traditional betting sites.
As SCCG Management explained:
"The rise of peer-to-peer betting isn't just a tactical response to regulation - it's part of a longer-term reimagining of what interactive, skill-based wagering can look like in the US."
This method allows bettors to set their own odds and negotiate terms directly, creating a fairer and more transparent betting experience.
Removing the House Edge with No-Vig Pricing
Another standout feature of community-driven platforms is better pricing. By eliminating the high "vig" - the built-in commission sportsbooks charge - these platforms offer odds that reflect actual probabilities. This means bettors get to keep more of their winnings.
To put this into perspective, traditional sportsbooks typically include a vig of about 4.54% on common bets like moneylines, totals, and point spreads. For example, when a sportsbook lists -110 odds on both sides of an NFL point spread, a bettor must risk US$110 to win US$100. The sportsbook collects US$110 from losing bets, pays US$100 to the winner, and pockets the remaining US$10 as profit. On a US$1,000 wager, this translates to approximately US$45 in commission.
Community-driven platforms, on the other hand, often operate as intermediaries for direct user-to-user betting. They charge a small, transparent fee - typically between 2% and 5% on winning bets - making the experience more cost-effective.
Setting Up Group Betting Features
Group betting features add a social and collaborative layer to the betting experience. Tools like integrated chat and discussion forums allow users to share insights, debate strategies, and discuss evolving odds in real time.
Leaderboards and performance tracking introduce a competitive element, enabling users to compare their betting results and celebrate achievements through transparent rankings. Features like pick-sharing and following systems let bettors share tips, follow experienced players, and learn from successful strategies. This creates a mentorship dynamic that benefits the entire community. Additionally, private group options allow users to form custom communities, whether for office pools, friend groups, or sports-specific fan clubs.
These features collectively create a more engaging and transparent betting environment, where collaboration and shared knowledge lead to better and more informed decisions.
User-Created Odds and Community Control
User-created odds take the idea of group betting to the next level by giving bettors the ability to shape and refine odds collectively. This community-driven approach shifts some control away from traditional bookmakers, allowing users to actively participate in setting odds. Instead of passively accepting pre-determined odds, bettors can suggest, debate, and vote, making the process more transparent and inclusive.
How Users Can Create and Vote on Odds
Some platforms now allow users to create odds for a wide range of events, from high-profile NFL matchups to more niche contests. This feature enables bettors to craft custom bets that directly challenge others, while the broader community determines fair odds through voting.
Other platforms take it further by introducing collaborative tools, where groups can work together to propose and adjust odds. In certain models, users can even trade positions on outcomes using dynamic pricing. To maintain fairness and prevent manipulation, effective platforms implement safeguards like weighted voting based on user reputation and algorithms designed to detect unusual patterns. These features ensure that the system remains fair while empowering users to have a say in the process.
Community Moderation and Solving Disputes
A user-driven system relies heavily on strong community oversight to maintain fairness. Transparent moderation tools - such as dispute resolution panels and community voting systems - are crucial for addressing disagreements about odds or bet outcomes. Many platforms keep public records of bets, allowing users to review the history and context of any disputed case. This openness helps moderators make informed decisions and fosters trust within the community.
The best systems combine automated monitoring with human oversight. Algorithms can flag suspicious betting patterns or potential rule violations, but final decisions are often left to experienced community moderators. In some cases, platforms establish formal councils made up of respected members who vote on complex disputes. These councils publish their decisions for everyone to see, reinforcing the platform’s commitment to transparency and fairness.
Building Trust with Leaderboards and Open Records
Trust is the cornerstone of any community-driven odds system, and platforms work to build it through transparent tracking and recognition features. Public leaderboards and open records are central to this effort.
Platforms often reward active and fair participants with bonuses, exclusive features, or top spots on leaderboards. Transparency extends beyond simple win/loss stats - users can access complete bet histories, including the reasoning behind proposed odds and voting patterns. This level of openness helps the community identify skilled bettors and discourages dishonest behavior.
Detailed performance tracking, which breaks down results by sport, bet type, and time period, adds another layer of value. It allows users to analyze their strengths and weaknesses while helping others decide whose advice to follow. By combining data-driven insights with community recognition, platforms create a collaborative and fair environment where participants can thrive.
Conclusion: How Community-Driven Odds Change Sports Betting
Community-driven odds are changing the game for sports betting in the U.S. By moving away from the fixed odds offered by traditional sportsbooks, bettors now have the ability to shape their own experience through peer-to-peer platforms and social betting tools. This shift isn’t just about better odds - it’s about creating a more engaging and fair environment for bettors.
Main Benefits
The benefits of community-driven betting go far beyond just improved odds. Peer-to-peer betting removes the house edge entirely, allowing users to bet directly against one another. Traditional sportsbooks often include an 8–10% vig on parlays, but platforms like BettorEdge charge significantly less - ranging from 1–2%, or even zero in some cases depending on monthly caps.
When users set their own odds through community-driven markets, the artificial markups disappear. BettorEdge highlights their unique approach: they don’t bet against users, which removes conflicts of interest, and instead allow users to set their own prices. This creates a more level playing field where skill and knowledge take center stage, rather than simply trying to beat the house.
Beyond the financial advantages, community-driven betting transforms wagering into a social activity. Group features let users join communities, share strategies, and learn from one another. According to reports, bettors are 20 times more likely to be profitable in these collaborative environments compared to traditional sportsbooks.
User-generated odds also give bettors greater control. Instead of accepting pre-set lines, users can propose custom bets, negotiate terms, and find opponents willing to take the other side. This flexibility encourages creative strategies and smarter risk management.
Transparency is another key advantage. Public leaderboards, open bet records, and community moderation make manipulation nearly impossible. Bettors can verify performance records, follow successful peers, and make decisions based on real outcomes rather than marketing hype. Together, these features not only enhance the current betting experience but also point to a brighter future for sports betting.
The Future of Transparent Betting
The U.S. sports betting market is on a steep growth trajectory, expanding from $13 billion in 2019 and projected to grow by 16% in 2025. This growth is accompanied by a rising demand for transparency and user control.
Community-driven models are at the forefront of this evolution. Platforms like BettorEdge are redefining user engagement, with over 1,000 active Discord communities where users participate in head-to-head challenges and real-time discussions.
Interestingly, nearly 75% of bettors feel that traditional sportsbooks prioritize attracting new customers over rewarding loyal ones. Community-driven platforms flip this narrative by rewarding active participation, successful betting, and meaningful contributions within their communities.
"Social and peer-to-peer exchanges are a turning point. They're not just workarounds for places like Wisconsin - they're a bold rethink of wagering." – Adam Wickwire, OpticOdds
This approach aligns with what bettors increasingly value: personalized experiences, greater transparency, and fairer treatment. Community-driven platforms deliver on these expectations with user-friendly interfaces, tailored features, and loyalty incentives.
Looking ahead, platforms that combine social media-like engagement with advanced analytical tools are set to reshape the industry. Real-time performance tracking, peer-to-peer markets, and community-driven content create an ecosystem where users can sharpen their skills while enjoying a more transparent and equitable betting experience.
While traditional sportsbooks continue to "set the odds and stack the deck in their favor", community-driven platforms are proving there’s a better way forward.
FAQs
How do community-driven odds platforms promote fairness and prevent manipulation in betting?
Community-driven odds platforms work to ensure fairness and prevent manipulation by using advanced tools to monitor betting patterns. AI plays a key role here, flagging any unusual activity that might indicate issues like manipulation or match-fixing. By keeping a close watch on odds movements and user behavior, these platforms create a betting environment that’s more open and reliable.
Many of these platforms also lean on user-generated odds and peer-to-peer markets, which help limit the control of centralized entities and promote a more balanced system. To reinforce fairness, they adhere to strict regulations and use tools like Random Number Generators (RNGs), which guarantee fair play and an even playing field for all participants.
What makes peer-to-peer betting a better option than traditional sportsbooks?
Peer-to-peer betting offers a refreshing approach by putting the power directly in the hands of the users. Instead of bookmakers dictating the odds, users set them based on actual market demand. This often means bettors can find odds that are more in line with what they’re looking for - and potentially more rewarding.
Another perk? Fewer middlemen. Peer-to-peer platforms generally come with lower fees and smaller commissions, which means bettors keep more of their winnings. On top of that, this setup creates a more personal experience. Since users are betting directly against each other, it builds a sense of community while encouraging fairness and trust.
What is no-vig pricing, and how does it benefit bettors?
The no-vig pricing model strips away the bookmaker's commission - often called the vig or juice - from the odds. What you’re left with are the true odds, offering a clearer picture of an event’s actual probabilities. This makes it easier for bettors to base their decisions on accurate information.
Without the bookmaker's built-in margin, bettors can spot opportunities with positive expected value, which could lead to higher profitability over time. It’s a more transparent way of betting, giving users access to odds that aren’t tilted in the platform’s favor.
