Interest and betting on women’s sports, particularly basketball, have been on the rise, driven by star players like Caitlin Clark. Following her debut in the WNBA with the Indiana Fever, there has been a surge in viewership and wagering on the NCAA women’s basketball tournament. Sportsbooks are anticipating increased betting on various women’s sports, including the upcoming Olympics, where the U.S. women’s basketball and soccer teams are expected to attract strong betting interest. Meghan Chayka, co-founder of Stathletes, views this as an opportunity to diversify the fan base and enhance engagement with women’s sports throughout the year.
Director of sports operations for DraftKings, Johnny Avello, notes that there is more star power in women’s basketball than ever before. The WNBA has been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years, and sportsbooks are excited for what promises to be an excellent season. DraftKings saw a significant increase in bets on this year’s women’s college basketball tournament, with nearly four times as much money wagered on the games. Betting on WNBA futures, such as predicting the eventual champion or most valuable player, has also seen a substantial increase this year. Donna Orender, former president of the WNBA, sees the increased betting activity as a sign of engagement and validation of women’s sports’ success.
According to panelists at the SBC Summit North America conference, 2024 is expected to be a record-breaking year for women’s sports in various aspects, including popularity, TV viewership, and betting activity. Syd Harris, director of brand and content for Betway, acknowledges the significant interest in athletes like Caitlin Clark and emphasizes the importance of continuing to capitalize on that excitement. Leading sportsbooks are offering similar types of bets on women’s sports as they do for men’s sports, including performance-based prop bets on players like Clark. Despite Clark being tied for third in MVP betting odds, she is the top choice among bettors, capturing a majority of the wagers and money placed on her.
Women’s soccer is also expected to perform well in terms of interest, viewership, and betting this year, particularly with the U.S. women’s national team’s continued success. The Women’s World Cup and Olympics have been popular events for viewers and bettors alike. FanDuel vice president, Jennifer Matthews, highlights the interest in the women’s hockey final during the Olympics and the popularity of Team USA in various women’s sports. Craig Mucklow, VP of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, predicts continued interest in women’s sports throughout the summer, fueled by the success of U.S. women’s teams. Bettors are beginning to take a more sophisticated approach to women’s sports, with focused bets on specific outcomes and performances.
Former WNBA president, Donna Orender, expresses satisfaction with the growing acceptance and embrace of women’s sports, noting that it is long overdue. She welcomes the recognition of the value and talent within women’s sports and sees it as a positive step towards greater equality and appreciation in the sports world. With increasing engagement and betting activity, it is evident that women’s sports are gaining the recognition and support they deserve. Fans, bettors, and sportsbooks alike are looking forward to continued growth and success in women’s sports in the coming years.
