FanDuel, one of the leading sports betting platforms, has declared the recent Iowa-LSU women’s sports game as its largest betting event ever for women’s sports. This record-breaking betting activity highlights the growing interest and popularity of women’s sports, fueled by the emergence of superstar talent like Caitlin Clark and the increasing valuations of women’s sports franchises.
According to ESPN, the viewership of the women’s Sweet 16 games reached a record high, experiencing a 96% increase from the previous year. This surge in viewership has translated into the sports betting arena, with record-breaking activity on women’s sports. However, despite this growth, only 26% of bettors are women, presenting a significant opportunity for sportsbooks to tap into a larger market.
The LSU-Iowa game, featuring a highly anticipated rematch between two storied franchises and notable figures like Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, and coach Kim Mulkey, garnered immense attention from bettors. FanDuel reported that it was the number one betting event on Monday, surpassing all other major professional sports games. The game also witnessed a 28% increase in handle compared to the 2023 Women’s National Championship game.
Another highly anticipated matchup between the University of Connecticut and the University of Southern California also attracted significant betting activity. Fans were captivated by UConn’s star player Paige Bueckers, who scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in their victory.
Other sports betting platforms like DraftKings and BetMGM also experienced a surge in betting activity on women’s basketball games. DraftKings revealed that the women’s basketball games were their top two events of the night, surpassing all MLB and NBA games. BetMGM also reported that the Iowa-LSU matchup was its most bet-on women’s basketball game ever.
Karol Corcoran, the senior vice president and general manager of FanDuel Sportsbook, expressed excitement about the growing interest in women’s sports and anticipated further engagement during the upcoming Final Four. FanDuel has already set the odds for the Final Four, with Iowa being a 2.5 point favorite over UConn and South Carolina being an 11.5 point favorite over NC State.
Overall, the recent Iowa-LSU women’s sports game has not only captivated viewers but has also become a significant milestone in the world of sports betting. The record-breaking betting activity on women’s sports reflects the increasing popularity and potential of this sector. As more fans show unprecedented interest, sportsbooks are eager to capitalize on this opportunity and further engage with bettors in the world of women’s sports.
