U.S. Team’s Advancement to Knockouts Retains Significant Betting Stakes for Women’s World Cup

The close shave of the American team’s goalless draw against Portugal, which ensured their progression from the group stage, maintained substantial betting stakes in the Women’s World Cup. The betting volume could have witnessed a plummet by 80% if the U.S. team had faced elimination this week, as per Jay Kornegay, Vice President of Race and Sports Operations at Westgate Las Vegas. The same could occur if the Americans fail to win in the knockout stage.

“The U.S. team remains the focal point, especially in the Women’s World Cup,” Kornegay remarked. He contrasted this to the Men’s World Cup that appears to attract more betting activity outside the U.S. team.

Betting activities for the Women’s World Cup have generally been subdued this year due to the time zone differences, with the tournament taking place in Australia and New Zealand. More betting-friendly match timings would have been a possibility if the U.S. had topped their group, ensuring games at a time when most Americans are awake. The U.S. will face off Sweden for their round of 16 match on Sunday at 5 a.m. EDT, a situation that might negatively impact the betting volume, according to Kornegay and BetMGM trading team leader Seamus Magee.

However, Kornegay anticipates a resurgence in betting activity if the U.S. clinches victory in their upcoming two games, regardless of the time of play.

The U.S., four-time World Cup champions and victors of the last two editions, managed to progress past the group stage, despite a nerve-wracking scoreless draw against Portugal. A seemingly decisive goal by Portugal’s Ana Capeta in extra time rebounded off the post, allowing the U.S. to avoid a shock defeat.

Despite a subdued betting response to this year’s tournament, the trend of betting on women’s sports is distinctly increasing.

BetMGM reported over a 40% uptick in betting on women’s sports, particularly in the WNBA, tennis, and golf. BetMGM’s operations are not solely reliant on the Aces, Las Vegas’s top WNBA team, with betting sites all over the nation.

“This continuous increase in betting on women’s sports spans across numerous leagues,” stated BetMGM data analyst John Ewing. “The growth in wagering activity in women’s sports leagues has surpassed that in men’s leagues, partly due to legalized betting expansion.”

Ewing sees the rising betting interest in women’s sports as a long-term trend that can promote interest in the teams and players, driving sports growth and betting activity.

Echoing this optimism, Kornegay noted a more modest increase in the range of 10% to 15% at Westgate. He emphasized the heightened competitiveness in women’s sports, whether soccer, tennis, or golf, and the rising prominence of U.S. women in top rankings as contributing factors.

AP Women’s World Cup coverage: https://bigbignews.net/fifa-womens-world-cup

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