Caitlin Clark Ignites a Betting Frenzy in Women’s College Basketball
BollywoodFever, March 19: Caitlin Clark‘s jaw-dropping 3-pointers from the logo and her trailblazing achievements have not only captured the attention of sports enthusiasts who once might have overlooked women’s basketball but have also made Iowa games a must-watch event, compelling fans to eagerly record every game.
The betting community has also been drawn in, with many placing their bets on Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes, who lead as the top seed in the Albany Regional 2 of the NCAA Tournament. This Saturday, they’re set to face off against either Holy Cross or UT Martin in the first round.
Caesars Sportsbook has witnessed a remarkable surge in engagement, reporting a 190% increase in the number of bets on women’s college basketball games this season compared to last, along with a 153% increase in the amount wagered. “We saw the momentum slowly build toward the end of the regular season last year and then into the tournament,” Grant Tucker, who oversees college basketball trading at Caesars, shared. “Her superstardom grew, and so did the betting, especially as Iowa made their incredible run to the final.”
The emergence of Clark has not only sparked increased betting but has also expanded the coverage and betting options for women’s college basketball at major sportsbooks like Caesars and BetMGM, which are now planning to offer special proposition bets centered around Clark. Her influence has significantly broadened the visibility and betting activity for other women’s teams as well, with Caesars boosting its daily postings from four or five women’s games to between 12 and 15.
Clark’s impact has been felt in futures bets too, with odds for Iowa winning the national championship halving from 12-1 to 6-1 at Caesars, thanks to the influx of casual gambler money. Meanwhile, professional bettors remain focused on South Carolina, the current favorite.
Derek Stevens, owner of several Las Vegas casinos including Circa, noted the substantial growth in interest for women’s college basketball, largely attributed to Iowa and Caitlin Clark. “It’s something that’s fun. People are liking it. We’re showing it inside Circa Las Vegas, so it’s pretty awesome to see how this has developed,” Stevens remarked.
Despite the overwhelming popularity of men’s tournament brackets, as noted by Sheldon Jacobson of BracketOdds, Clark’s presence has spiked interest in the women’s game. “The longer the Iowa Hawkeyes survive, the more interest there will be,” Jacobson said, praising Clark as a “rock star” for women’s basketball.
With Clark’s impending move to the WNBA, the sport finds itself at a pivotal moment. However, the emergence of talents like USC freshman JuJu Watkins offers hope for a seamless transition of star power. Jacobson emphasized, “It’s more than just play, it’s also personality… Clark really brings something special to the game.”
Although Tucker anticipates a potential dip in interest post-Clark, he believes the momentum for women’s college basketball won’t come to a halt, highlighting the lasting impact of NIL (name, image, and likeness) and the arrival of future stars. “Her stardom is very unique,” he concluded, underscoring the irreplaceable aura Clark brings to the sport.
Bookmark and Follow us for More Sports News
