Interest and betting in women’s sports are experiencing an unprecedented surge in the United States, driven significantly by the popularity of basketball star Caitlin Clark. Making her professional debut with the WNBA’s Indiana Fever, Clark has been pivotal in drawing record-breaking betting activity on the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Gamblers are keenly wagering on her professional prospects, marking a significant trend in sports betting.

However, Clark’s influence is just a facet of a broader movement in the United States market. Sportsbooks are reporting an overall increase in betting on various women’s sports. Anticipation is building for the upcoming Olympics, with the U.S. women’s basketball team, historically dominant with seven out of the last eight gold medals, expected to attract substantial betting interest. Similarly, the U.S. women’s soccer team, known for its consistent performance, is also drawing strong betting engagement.

A Great Opportunity

“There’s a great opportunity for it right now, so why not throw gasoline on the fire?” remarked Meghan Chayka, co-founder of the hockey analytics firm Stathletes, quoted by the Associated Press. She emphasized the importance of maintaining this interest beyond major events like March Madness, suggesting it’s a strategic way to diversify the fan base.

Johnny Avello, director of sports operations for DraftKings, highlighted the increased star power in women’s basketball. “Ticket prices, media attention, and even preseason betting are all up as this new era of stars gets ready to enter the league,” he noted. Avello also pointed out that the WNBA has been growing steadily, and this season is anticipated to be particularly significant.

The impact of this growth is evident in the betting statistics. DraftKings reported a 3.5-fold increase in bets on this year’s women’s college basketball tournament compared to the previous year, with nearly four times the total money wagered. BetMGM also saw a 175% increase in money bet on WNBA futures, which include predictions for the league’s champion or MVP.

Validation Of Women’s Sports

Donna Orender, former president of the WNBA and a former professional basketball player, views the rise in betting as a validation of the success of women’s sports. “That money represents engagement,” she said. “If people are betting, they are engaging. That is healthy for a sports league.” She, along with other experts at the recent SBC Summit North America conference, predicted that 2024 would be a landmark year for women’s sports in terms of popularity, viewership, and betting activity.

Syd Harris, director of brand and content for Betway, acknowledged the intense interest in Caitlin Clark. “We know people are watching and betting on women’s sports. If someone comes in amid the excitement of March Madness, how do you continue that?” The answer, according to many top sportsbooks, is to offer the same kinds of performance-based bets, known as proposition or “prop” bets, on women’s sports as they do for men’s. For instance, many sportsbooks provided various prop bets on Clark’s debut game, reflecting significant interest.

Despite a challenging debut, where Clark scored a team-high 20 points but also had 10 turnovers, she remains a popular bet for MVP. BetMGM reports that 68.1% of total bets and 74.5% of all money wagered on the MVP is backing Clark at +1000 odds.

Interest in women’s sports isn’t limited to basketball. Women’s soccer, particularly the U.S. women’s national team, has also garnered substantial viewership and betting interest. This trend is expected to continue with upcoming international events. Jennifer Matthews from FanDuel noted the significant betting on women’s hockey during the Olympics and described promotions aimed at enhancing viewer engagement during the Women’s World Cup.

Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, echoed this sentiment, noting the longstanding popularity of U.S. women’s teams in the Olympics and World Cup tournaments. “The success of Team USA over the years has driven tremendous interest in other women’s sports,” he said. With the added interest in Caitlin Clark, this momentum is expected to sustain through a summer filled with top-tier women’s sports events.

Sports bettors are increasingly adopting a sophisticated approach to women’s sports, treating them with the same analytical rigor as men’s sports. At Fanatics Sportsbook, for example, bets on Clark’s Indiana Fever to finish the season with fewer than 21.5 wins have been particularly popular. Donna Orender finds it rewarding to see women’s sports gaining wider recognition. “It’s about time!” she exclaimed. “Finally, the world is saying, ‘We see you, and you have tremendous value.’”

On Monday, Might 8, the College of Iowa revealed that 26 athletes in 5 sports activities have been suspected of betting on sports activities in violation of NCAA guidelines.

As well as, greater than 100 persons are concerned in investigations, and the state of Iowa confirms that 15 of its athletes in three sports activities are additionally below investigation for alleged playing violations.

NCAA Rule Violation:

The event comes lower than per week after Alabama baseball coach Brad Bohannon was fired following experiences of questionable betting involving his staff at an Ohio on line casino.

NCAA guidelines prohibit athletes, coaches and workers from betting on novice, collegiate {and professional} sports activities wherein the NCAA governs championships. For instance, athletes could not wager on NFL video games, even when state regulation legally permits non-competing bets below NCAA guidelines. Betting on sports activities below the age of 21 is against the law in Iowa.

Iowa’s gaming regulator, the Iowa Racing and Wagering Fee, has issued an inquiry to Motion Community, a information outlet targeted on sports activities betting, right into a suspected betting involving a Hawkeyes, Iowa baseball participant. I’ve verified that it has really began.

On this regard, Brian Ohorilko, Director of Video games for the Fee, mentioned: “The Fee takes the integrity of the sport within the state significantly and can proceed to watch the state of affairs and supply extra data when out there.”

Nonetheless, Ohorirko didn’t return calls or emails searching for additional remark.

Nonetheless, Ohorirko “There is no such thing as a proof of match-fixing or questionable playing exercise.”

In that regard, he added: “There was nothing to pause us or make us consider that any of those markets have been in danger.”

The state of Iowa has issued a one-paragraph assertion concerning the alleged playing violation.

it says “The 15 Cyclones gamers suspected of involvement hail from soccer, wrestling and observe groups.”

Gamers discovered to be playing shall be disqualified.

The NCAA is conscious of the state of affairs.

The College of Iowa mentioned: “We’re cooperating absolutely with the investigation, have alerted the NCAA to doable violations, and are participating outdoors authorized counsel to help.”

iowa mentioned “We acquired data on 111 people, together with 26 baseball, soccer, males’s basketball, males’s observe and area and wrestling gamers, and one full-time worker within the athletic division.”

Moreover, the college “Majority” Adults, former athletes, those that don’t belong to the bodily training membership.

In line with Iowa: “College officers have been notified on Might 2 of doable prison exercise associated to sports activities betting that additionally urged a doable NCAA violation.”

Final Wednesday, police supplied the college with an inventory of individuals suspected of taking part in sports activities betting.

In response, the college has notified a number of athletes that they won’t be taking part in future competitions and notified the NCAA of doable violations.

Sports activities betting made on-line:

The wager was made on-line in Iowa and Iowa, in accordance with a state board assertion.

On this regard, the Regent mentioned: “We’re monitoring the state of affairs carefully and are assured that college directors at every establishment will take all crucial steps to make sure continued compliance.”

Following experiences of warnings about suspicious playing exercise, the Ohio On line casino Management Board, Ohio’s major playing regulator, has introduced that licensed sportsbooks within the state won’t settle for bets on baseball video games in Alabama. banned to

Suspicious Playing Warning Letter:

As reported by ESPN, Las Vegas-based US Integrity has issued a warning letter to the sportsbook. “Suspicious Playing Conduct” Contains Friday night time’s Alabama-LSU sport. Moreover, in the course of the sport, Alabama scored 5 runs within the ninth inning of an 8–6 loss to LSU, which was ranked #1 in an necessary school baseball ballot whereas Alabama was unranked.

On this regard, Deputy Athletic Director Jessica Paré stated in an announcement: “The Alabama Athletics turned conscious of the scenario Monday night time and are actively in search of data relating to the report.”

Moreover, Matthew Schuler, government director of the Ohio On line casino Regulatory Fee, issued an emergency order on Monday. “Instantly ban acceptance of bets on College of Alabama baseball.” The order was first reported by ESPN.

It stated so within the order “One of many state’s accredited impartial integrity screens notified the state of the wager.”

Persevering with evaluation of the newly created scenario:

Sports activities betting has been legalized in 33 states, nevertheless it was not instantly clear whether or not different states had related orders.

In that regard, Ohio Fee spokeswoman Jessica Franks stated on Tuesday: “We’re persevering with to research this matter.”

Moreover, in an announcement, the NCAA (Nationwide Collegiate Athletic Affiliation) stated: “It was conscious of the scenario and was actively gathering extra data.”

Nonetheless, US Integrity declined to remark and LSU didn’t reply to a request for remark.

Moreover, NCAA guidelines prohibit athletes and sports activities officers from betting on video games. “From offering data to any particular person concerned in or related to any form of sports activities betting exercise regarding intercollegiate, newbie or skilled athletics.”

US Integrity is watching, in line with its web site. “Knowledge to see if discrepancies match notable gamers or teaching occasions, reveal refereeing anomalies, or point out misuse of insider data.”

Baird Vogel, a California legal professional with expertise in coping with the sports activities betting trade, stated flagged bets like this one are more likely to outperform the opposite, particularly when odds fluctuate wildly on the final minute. It usually occurs in video games which might be ranked larger than .

Vogel, co-head of Evershed Sutherland’s world sports activities observe, stated: “I believe on this occasion the road moved very dramatically. Perhaps, that is the fantastic thing about sports activities betting, generally bizarre issues occur.”

Vogel added:US Integrity is likely one of the finest within the sport. So in the event that they flag anomalies and detect discrepancies or uncommon exercise, we encourage you to hearken to them. “

The FanDuel Sportsbook didn’t have any upcoming Alabama baseball video games scheduled for Tuesday.