
Caitlin Clark has ascended to new heights in the realm of NCAA Division I basketball, obliterating the records to become the all-time leading scorer across both men’s and women’s categories. Her outstanding performance has sent ripples far beyond the court, even touching the pulse of the US gaming industry, as sportsbooks register an unprecedented surge in wagers on women’s college basketball.
Caitlin Clark celebrated a monumental achievement on February 15, 2024, as she shattered the NCAA women’s all-time scoring record. Her unmistakable prowess has fueled a remarkable uptick in betting, reflecting a broader enthusiasm for women’s college basketball throughout this season.
Hailing from Des Moines, the formidable six-foot guard who has spearheaded the Iowa Hawkeyes’ lineup finalized her ultimate regular-season game this Sunday, triumphing over the legendary “Pistol” Pete Maravich’s record to secure her position as the preeminent scorer in NCAA Division I history.
Opting to sidestep her remaining year of eligibility, Clark has set her sights on the WNBA Draft set for April 14, where her drafting as the principal pick is virtually indisputable. Her illustrious regular-season college career culminated with a staggering tally of 3,685 points.
Clark’s sharpshooting acumen from the perimeter is evident, draining over 38% of her 1,332 attempts from the three-point line and sinking 762 out of 890 free throws, boasting an impressive 86% accuracy from the foul line. Her staggering regular-season averages include scoring over 28 points per game on 46.5% shooting, further embellished with seven rebounds and a phenomenal rate of eight assists per game.
The “Caitlin Clark Effect” has become synonymous with the newfound vigor enveloping women’s college basketball, driven by the 22-year-old’s record-breaking swansong at Iowa. The result has not just been an increase in viewership; the demand for Iowa game tickets has reached astronomical figures, with some seats fetching thousands of dollars.
This week, US sportsbooks have acknowledged that the media frenzy surrounding Clark’s achievements has significantly bumped up bets on the sport. BetMGM’s Senior Trader, Seamus Magee, credits Caitlin Clark as a pivotal influence behind this year’s upsurge in sports betting.
A deeper dive into the metrics by Tipico Sportsbook, operational in states like Colorado, Iowa, New Jersey, and Ohio, reveals an 18% year-over-year spike in the betting handle dedicated to women’s college basketball. Their spokesperson pointed out that bets on the Hawkeyes’ contests alone saw a 55% rise in monetary stakes compared to the previous year.
Undercurrents of this betting bonanza are the stipulations that make wagering on player performance tricky in the collegiate context. The legislative canvas paints a complex picture, with most legal sports betting territories banning player prop bets due to potential risks they pose to the integrity and safety of student-athletes.
Nonetheless, a select few holdouts, including Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Wyoming, and Washington, DC, still permit these stakes. North Carolina is poised to join this contingent, ushering in online betting inclusive of college player props on March 11.
In light of Maryland and Ohio curtailing the availability of such bets, Tipico Sportsbook’s Head of Trading, Sunny Gupta, remains unfazed, citing that these wagers constituted less than 1% of their college basketball handle in 2024 when Ohio allowed player props.
At the zenith of the season, Clark has powered her No. 3 nationally ranked Iowa Hawkeyes to a laudable 26-4 finish. South Carolina, unbeaten at 29-0, claims the top spot in the AP rankings. DraftKings rates Iowa with +800 odds to clinch the 2024 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Tournament, positing that a $100 wager on a Hawkeyes victory would yield an $800 return—trailing only the Gamecocks at -115, with LSU matching Iowa’s odds.
As the sporting world turns its eyes to the excitement of March Madness and the dynamism of collegiate athletics, many fans also seek pleasures in the digital realms of gaming and betting. For those in Canada searching for a parallel thrill online,we’ve compiled a list of the top online casinos for this month. At West Island Blog, we cater to the discerning tastes of casino aficionados, serving as your trusted guide to the finest online gaming experiences. Whether dabbling in the strategic nuances of blackjack or the vibrant whirl of slots, our curated selections promise to meet your gaming desires.