What Does ‘Tipster’ Mean in Sports Betting?

In the world of sports betting, a “Tipster” is simply a person or service that gives you advice on who to bet on.
However, if you are betting in the US, you will almost never hear this word. We use a different term for the exact same thing: “Handicapper“ (or sometimes a “Tout”).
US vs. UK/International
- In the UK & Australia: They call the advice “Tips“ and the person a “Tipster.”
- Example: “I follow a great soccer tipster from London.”
- In the US: We call the advice “Picks“ and the person a “Handicapper.”
- Example: “I’m buying some NFL picks from a handicapper in Vegas.”
What Do They Do?
Whether you call them a tipster or a handicapper, their job is the same:
- Analyze the Games: They study the stats, injuries, and trends to find the best bets.
- Sell (or Share) the Picks: Some give out free picks on social media to build a following, while others charge a subscription fee for their “exclusive” best bets.