Decimal odds
Decimal odds tell you how much comes back in total for every €1, including your stake. For example, with €10 on odds of 1.85, the return is €18.50 and the net profit €8.50, if the outcome happens. If it doesn’t, you lose the €10.
From odds to probability
Divide 1 by the odds. 1.85 corresponds to 1 ÷ 1.85 = 54.1%. That is the probability the operator is “pricing”, not the real probability of the outcome.
Why more than 100%
For example, in a match priced 1.85 / 3.60 / 4.20, the probabilities are 54.1% + 27.8% + 23.8% = 105.6%. In reality the three outcomes can’t add up to more than 100%. The extra 5.6% is the margin the operator builds in: about 5.3% of every stake over time. The margin guide shows how to work it out.
What the rules say
The Greek Commercial Communication Regulation (Ministerial Decision 79292/2020) bars gambling ads from giving the false impression that the result can be foreseen or controlled (Article 8.3.7), and from implying that abilities affect the outcome when they don’t (Article 8.3.9). Odds don’t remove that uncertainty: they only put a price on it.
What it means for you
A smaller margin means the operator keeps less, not that you will come out ahead. Betting is entertainment that costs money, and in Greece it is allowed only from age 21 (Article 48(5), Law 4002/2011). Set a money limit and a time limit before you start; the limits and self-exclusion guide shows how.
Frequently asked questions
Do higher odds mean a better bet?
No. Higher odds mean a lower priced probability. The operator’s margin is still in every selection.
Can I work out the real probability?
You can remove the margin to get an estimate, but nobody knows the true probability of a sporting event.
Why do odds differ between operators?
Each operator sets its own margin and adjusts its prices according to the bets it takes.