A BetMGM parlay combines two or more selections into one bet that only wins if every leg wins. Here is how to build one, how the payout is calculated, and what to check first.
A BetMGM parlay is a single bet that combines two or more selections (called legs) and pays out only if every leg wins. You build it by adding selections to your bet slip in the BetMGM app or website and choosing the parlay option, and the sportsbook multiplies the odds of each leg together to set your payout. Bigger potential payouts come with a much lower chance that all the legs land. This guide explains how the process works, how to work out what a parlay pays, and what to check before you place one.
How to build a parlay at BetMGM
The exact screens change as sportsbooks update their apps, but the general flow is the same across most US sportsbooks, BetMGM included:
- Find your first selection. Open a game or market and tap a moneyline, point spread, total (over/under) or player prop.
- Add more selections. Keep tapping odds from other games or markets. Each one is added to the same bet slip.
- Open the bet slip. With two or more selections, you should see a parlay option alongside single bets. Make sure the parlay tab is the one you are on, not separate singles.
- Enter your stake. A parlay takes one stake for the whole bet. The slip shows the combined odds and the potential payout.
- Review and confirm. Check each leg, the line, and the total before you submit.
Which markets can be combined, how many legs are allowed, and whether certain selections can be paired varies by sportsbook and can change. Check BetMGM's own house rules and the bet slip messages rather than assuming.
How parlay odds and payouts are calculated
Each leg has its own odds. For a parlay, those odds are multiplied together in decimal form. The easiest way to see it is with a quick example.
Example with invented round numbers, not real odds: say you build a three-leg parlay and every leg is priced at -110. In decimal terms, -110 is about 1.909. Multiply 1.909 three times and you get roughly 6.96. A $10 stake would return about $69.58 in total, which is $59.58 profit plus your $10 back. That combined price is roughly +596 in American odds.
If any one leg loses, the whole parlay loses. Many sportsbooks treat a tie (a push) or a voided leg by removing it and recalculating the parlay on the remaining legs, but the exact handling is set by each sportsbook's rules.
What the payout is really telling you
The combined odds also imply how often all legs must hit for the bet to break even. Using the same example of every leg at -110:
| Legs (all at -110, example) | Combined odds (approx.) | Break-even hit rate (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | +264 | 27.4% |
| 3 | +596 | 14.4% |
| 4 | +1228 | 7.5% |
| 5 | +2436 | 3.9% |
The numbers show why long parlays are tempting and difficult. The payout grows quickly with each leg, but the share of times you need to win to come out even shrinks fast, and the sportsbook's built-in margin on each leg is multiplied along with the odds. That is why parlays are generally a higher-variance, higher-margin type of bet than singles.
Same game parlays at BetMGM
A same game parlay combines several selections from one game, such as a side, a total and a player prop. Sportsbooks that offer them price the legs as related to each other, because outcomes inside a single game are connected. If a team wins big, its quarterback is more likely to have thrown for more yards, for instance. Because of that correlation, the combined price is not a simple multiplication of the individual odds, and the payout can look different from what the math above would suggest.
Which markets can be paired, and whether a same game parlay can be mixed with other games into a larger parlay, depends on the sportsbook. Read the terms shown on the slip before you confirm.
Things to check before you place a BetMGM parlay
- Availability in your state. Whether you can bet with BetMGM at all depends on where you are. Browse our state pages, such as Michigan parlay odds or Ohio parlay odds, to see how parlay markets are covered in different states, and confirm availability with the sportsbook itself.
- Leg limits and market restrictions. The slip will tell you if two selections cannot be combined.
- Push, void and postponement rules. Know what happens to your parlay if one leg is cancelled, tied or delayed.
- Cash out and edit options. Some sportsbooks offer ways to cash out or adjust a parlay before it settles. Availability and pricing vary, and a cash out offer is priced by the sportsbook.
- Promotions and boosts. Parlay boosts, insurance and bonus bets come with their own terms, such as eligible markets, minimum odds and expiry. Read them in full on the sportsbook's own page. You can see how bonuses compare on our sportsbook bonuses page.
Comparing BetMGM with other sportsbooks
The same parlay can pay differently at different sportsbooks, because each one sets its own lines and margins. Even a half-point difference on a spread or a slightly better price on one leg changes the combined payout, and the effect grows with every leg you add. Before you place a parlay, it is worth looking at how several sportsbooks price the same legs. You can compare parlay odds on our homepage and read our sportsbook reviews for a closer look at how each operator handles parlays, limits and customer service. For more betting basics, see all our articles.
Betting parlays responsibly
Parlays are entertainment, not income, and no sportsbook or strategy can guarantee a profit. Set a budget before you play, keep stakes small relative to it, and treat each bet as money you can afford to lose. If a parlay loses, do not raise your stake to win it back. Most sportsbooks offer deposit limits and time-out tools in their account settings, and using them early is a good habit.
Frequently asked questions
How many legs can I put in a BetMGM parlay?
Leg limits are set by the sportsbook and can differ by sport, market and state. The bet slip will show whether you can add another selection, so check it directly rather than relying on a fixed number.
What happens if one leg of my parlay loses?
The whole parlay loses. A standard parlay pays only when every leg wins, which is why the payout is larger than the same stake on single bets.
What happens if a leg pushes or is voided?
In general, sportsbooks remove that leg and settle the parlay on the remaining legs at the adjusted odds. Exact settlement rules vary by sportsbook, so read BetMGM's house rules for the specifics.
Can I combine bets from the same game in a parlay?
Many sportsbooks offer same game parlays, which pair selections from one game at a price that accounts for how those outcomes are linked. Which pairings are allowed varies, and the slip will tell you if a combination is not available.
Do I need to be in a specific state to place a BetMGM parlay?
Yes. Legal online betting depends on the state you are physically in, so you must be in a state where the sportsbook operates and where betting is allowed. Check the sportsbook's own state list and your local rules.
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