The American Gaming Association is expecting over 164 million adults in the US to place bets during the Paris Olympics Games. This number is up from 97 million recorded for the tournament’s previous edition in Tokyo in 2021. This includes numbers from 38 states in addition to Washington DC; however, some states prohibit wagering on Olympic games and placing bets on games that are judged. Hence, the number could be lower than predicted.
Two factors fuel positive expectations ahead of the Olgames: a favorable time zone and the rise of streaming services. Adults across the American region will be able to track the event conveniently as the difference is 6 hours, with Paris being ahead of New York. Also, the rise of streaming services will allow them to watch their favorite games at home or any other place where they decide to host an Olympic event.
All in all, there is excitement when it comes to the Olympic games, and betting is one segment that is likely to benefit the most from it. Some of the games that could attract a large audience are basketball, golf, and tennis.
Olympic Games 2024 will conclude on August 11, 2024, and at press time, they are just 8 hours away from starting.
Peacock, NBC’s exclusive streaming partner, will broadcast the Paris Olympics 2024 events. Americans can subscribe for $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year. This is for an ad-supported premium package. The ad-free premium package costs $13.99 per month or $139.99 annually.
However, the American Gaming Association has also issued a warning to individuals who are interested in betting on Olympic events. The AGA has said that it is important for participants to consider their financial limits and not exert their bank balance under any kind of influence. This rather applies to every form of betting; however, the warning comes specifically for the global event this time.
Before placing bets, it is also important to understand wagers and odds.
Another side of the argument has also been raised. Some experts believe that an uptick in sports betting is unlikely. Jay Zagorsky from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business interacted with the media and said that gamblers like to bet only on sports that they understand. They don’t necessarily place bets just because something is interesting, Jay added.
Given that football is not scheduled to start for another month and the WNBA is taking a small break, basketball games could be the biggest drivers. Johnny Avello, the Director of Sportsbook at DraftKings, stated during a media interaction that parlays featuring men’s and women’s teams have been popular among the public, further noting that they have attracted large bettors. While basketball continues to captivate fans, those interested in diversifying their betting options might also explore the best football betting sites to capitalize on other exciting sports opportunities.
The excitement is evident, but it is unclear how many US bettors there are in reality. According to the American Gaming Association, the highest estimate is 164 million.