What is an Outright? Outright Betting Explained

Fact checked by:
Jesse M. Cox Last Verified
26/06/2026 Add betting.net™ as a preferred source.

An outright is a bet on who will win an entire tournament, league, or competition - not just a single game. You pick the winner before the event starts, sometimes weeks or months in advance, and your bet stands until a champion is crowned. If your pick wins the whole thing, you collect. If they fall short at any stage, the bet loses.

You will see outrights listed on almost every US sportsbook. This page walks through exactly how they work, shows you a real NFL example with the math, and explains what to watch out for before placing one.

What does outright mean?

An outright bet is a single wager on the overall winner of a competition. Instead of betting on the result of one match, you are betting on which team or player will finish on top when everything is done. Common outright markets include Super Bowl winner, NBA Finals winner, Masters champion, and Stanley Cup winner. Because you are committing your stake far in advance, the price - that is, the odds the sportsbook offers - can be very long, meaning a small stake can return a large payout.

In the US, outrights are also called futures, and you will often see them labelled as "futures" on betting sites. The two words mean the same thing. Outrights are available before a season starts and stay open throughout the competition, though the odds shift constantly as results come in. If a team starts the season on a winning run, their outright odds shorten. If a contender gets knocked out of playoff contention, their odds lengthen or disappear from the board entirely.

Real-life example

It is August, two weeks before the NFL regular season kicks off. You think the Kansas City Chiefs will win the Super Bowl. You open a sportsbook and find the Chiefs listed at +600 to win the Super Bowl outright. In American moneyline odds, +600 means a $100 stake returns $600 in profit, plus your original $100 back - a total payout of $700.

You decide to place a $50 wager. Here is how the math works:

Stake: $50. Odds: +600. Profit if they win: $50 x (600 / 100) = $300. Total payout: $300 + $50 = $350.

The season runs its course. If the Chiefs do win the Super Bowl, you collect $350. If they lose in the playoffs at any point, your $50 stake is gone. Your money is tied up for the entire season - roughly five months - so outright bets require patience. They also carry real risk because anything can happen over a long competition: injuries, coaching changes, or a run of bad form can all end a title challenge.

When you will see outright

Outrights sit in their own section on most US sportsbooks, often labelled "futures" or "outright winner". They are available year-round. Before a season tips off, the board tends to be widest - every team has a price. As the competition narrows, sportsbooks remove teams that are mathematically eliminated and shorten the odds on surviving contenders.

One practical thing to know: most US sportsbooks settle outright bets only when the competition ends. Your money is not available to you until then, and many sportsbooks do not offer cash out on outright markets. Check the terms before placing, especially if you are betting months ahead. Also keep in mind that the sportsbook builds an edge into outright odds - if you added up the implied probabilities of all the teams on the board, they would total more than 100%, which is how the sportsbook makes a profit regardless of who wins.

Three terms worth knowing alongside outright are fixed odds, stake, and price. Fixed odds means the odds you see when you place the bet are locked in - even if the market moves after you wager, your payout is calculated at the original figure. Stake is simply the amount of money you put on the bet. Price is just another word for odds - when a sportsbook says a team's "price" has changed, they mean the odds have shifted. Understanding all three helps you read an outright market clearly and compare the value across different US sportsbooks before committing your money.

4.8 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

BetMGM Bonus

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

20+ sports available for wagering Pre-match and in-play betting Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds

Promo Code: BETBONUSMGM

Bet Now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.8 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Top Features

20+ sports available for wagering
Pre-match and in-play betting
Unique features like live streaming and boosted odds

Cashout yes

Live Streams yes

Mobile Statistics yes

Bet Now Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

4.7 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Bet365 Bonus

Bet $10 Get $150 in Bonus Bets

Over 20 sports Extensive betting markets Live betting feature

Bet Now

Find out more on bet365's website

Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

4.7 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Top Features

Over 20 sports
Extensive betting markets
Live betting feature

Cashout yes

Partial Cashout yes

Live Streams yes

Bet Now Whatever the moment. It's Never Ordinary at bet365. That's why if you sign up now you will receive $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5! Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 or greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply.GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-MY-RESET. 21+ (AZ/CO/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ KY). Must be present in AZ/CO/IA/IL/IN/KS/KY/LA (select parishes)/MD/NC/NJ/OH/PA/TN/VA.

4.7 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

FanDuel Bonus

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds

Bet Now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.7 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Top Features

Deep market coverage across major U.S. sports and leagues
Same Game Parlay builder is fast and easy to use
Live betting interface updates quickly with real-time odds

Cashout yes

Live Streams yes

Mobile Statistics yes

Bet Now Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

4.6 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

DraftKings Bonus

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

Bet on 40+ different sports Dynamic odds on live, in-play fixtures Deposit and bet $5 to receive up to $300 in bonus bets

Bet Now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.6 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Top Features

Bet on 40+ different sports
Dynamic odds on live, in-play fixtures
Deposit and bet $5 to receive up to $300 in bonus bets

Cashout yes

Live Streams yes

Mobile Statistics yes

Bet Now GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.6 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Fanatics Bonus

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

15+ sports categories An extensive range of betting markets Supports in-play betting and live streaming

Bet Now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

4.6 / 5

betting.net™ Rating

Top Features

15+ sports categories
An extensive range of betting markets
Supports in-play betting and live streaming

Cashout yes

Live Streams yes

Mobile Statistics yes

Bet Now Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

FAQs

Is an outright the same as a futures bet?

Yes, outright and futures are two names for the same type of bet. "Futures" is the more common label in the US, while "outright" is widely used in international betting. If you see either term on a sportsbook, they refer to a bet on the overall winner of a competition.

Can I cash out an outright bet early?

Some sportsbooks allow early cash out on outright markets, but many do not. Because these bets run over a long period, the rules vary widely. Always check the cash out terms before placing an outright - if cash out is not available, your stake is tied up until the competition ends.

Why are outright odds so long compared to single-game bets?

Outright odds reflect the difficulty of predicting a winner across an entire season or tournament. With many teams or players in the running, even a favourite has a relatively small chance of winning everything. That uncertainty pushes the odds out, which is why a small stake can return a large profit - but it also means your bet will lose more often than it wins.