While the term can be applied to bettors and bookmakers alike, exposure is most commonly associated with sportsbooks. From a player’s perspective, exposure refers to any amount of money used to place a bet. For example, if a bettor wagers $100 on an NFL game, their bankroll is exposed to losing the $100 invested on that contest. Bookmakers face unwanted risk if they take in more money on one side of a betting option than the amount wagered on the other side.
How Does Bookmaker Exposure Affect Betting Odds?
If bookmakers lived in a perfect world – the point spreads and game totals they post would draw equal money on both sides.