A sportsbook and a bookmaker are two terms that are often used interchangeably in the world of sports betting, but they do have some differences.

A sportsbook is a type of business that accepts bets on sporting events. It can be a physical location, such as a casino or a sports bar, or an online platform that allows users to place bets on sports. Sportsbooks make money by taking a percentage of the bets, known as the vig or juice, which is the difference between the amount bet and the amount paid out to the winner.

A bookmaker, on the other hand, is an individual or company that sets odds on sporting events and accepts bets from customers. They are often seen as the “middleman” between the bettor and the sportsbook, as they determine the odds and handle the payouts. Bookmakers also make money by taking a percentage of the bets, similar to sportsbooks.

In short, while both sportsbooks and bookmakers accept bets on sports, a sportsbook is a business that accepts bets, while a bookmaker is an individual or company that sets the odds and takes the bets.