Entain Announces Unprecedented Interest In Olympic Betting
Record Surge In Betting Traffic
Basketball was the most popular sport as Paris generates double the betting traffic compared to Tokyo.
Operator Entain has published player activity data from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, revealing a record surge in betting traffic, with basketball emerging as the most popular sport by bet volume.
The company reported that betting volume during this summer’s Olympics was double that of the previous Tokyo 2020 Games, making Paris 2024 the most popular Olympic Games in Entain’s history. Basketball led as the most wagered-on sport, followed by football, tennis, and volleyball. The men’s basketball final between the USA and France was the single most bet-on event.
Additionally, swimming and athletics experienced significant increases in popularity, placing them in the top 10 most wagered-on sports, ranking 10th and 8th, respectively. The Men’s 100m final was the most popular athletics event, where Noah Lyles, whose odds dropped from 5/4 to 9/2 after an average heats performance, delivered a favorable outcome for bettors. From Entain’s perspective, their best result came from the Men’s 1500m final, where 20/1 underdog Cole Hocker claimed a surprising victory.
Impact Of Olympic Betting On Entain’s Performance
Despite the record-setting statistics, the betting activity during the Paris 2024 Olympics is expected to be only a fraction of what events like Euro 2024 or the Copa America will generate. Nevertheless, Entain will be satisfied that Olympic betting interest continues to rise. This update comes shortly after Entain released its results last week, reporting a 6% increase in total group net gaming revenue.
Entain’s Head of Sports, Arild Ostbo, commented: “The Paris Olympics were unforgettable, showcasing global superstars at their best. The world’s biggest sporting event continues to grow in popularity and betting interest. The favorable time zone of Paris compared to Tokyo three years ago offered our customers a much better opportunity to engage and place bets.”
