What The Odds API Is
The Odds API gives your code sports odds from bookmakers around the world. An API is a way for your code to ask a service for data. You send a request, and you get odds back in a simple format called JSON.
It covers upcoming and live games. It also has player props for some sports and books. If you want to see odds in a spreadsheet, it offers add-ons for Excel and Google Sheets.
Who The Odds API Is For
This is a good first stop for hobby coders, students and bettors who want odds in a spreadsheet. You can sign up yourself and start for free. That makes it easy to try a small idea.
It also works for small apps that need steady odds data. It is not for you if you need the fastest possible updates. It is also not for you if you want to resell the data. The terms say you can't.
How It Works
- Get a key. You sign up with your email. A key is a private code that proves who you are.
- Call the API. It is REST. That means your code asks for data each time. It does not stream changes to you.
- Spend credits. Each request costs credits. Your plan gives you a monthly pool of credits. More credits cost more.
- Read the odds. You get games, books and prices back.
- Go back in time. Past odds are available, but only on paid plans.
What to Weigh Before You Pay
Credits run out. Each plan has a credit limit. A busy app can use them up fast. Past odds cost extra credits per call, so history gets pricey if you pull a lot of it.
Props are limited. Props and other extra markets are only for some books and sports. Check that your sport and book are covered.
Update timing. The company says updates come at set intervals. Those depend on the market type and how close the game is. Props update on a slower schedule than the main markets. This is a pull service, so it is not a live feed.
Free plan. The free plan is small and does not include every book. Past odds are not in it. See the table above for current limits.
Cancel and refunds. You can cancel any time. Your plan then runs to the end of the billing cycle. Payments are not refunded, though the terms say refunds may be looked at case by case.
Bottom Line
The Odds API is an easy way to start working with odds data. It fits hobby projects and small tools. If you need a live stream, deep props or resale rights, look at other services.
