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WNBA Betting Handle Increases 10% Ahead of Playoffs

More eyes than ever have tuned into the WNBA this season, and the increased viewership has impacted sportsbooks. Many operators have reported increases of around 10% in their WNBA betting this season. They claim specific teams, not off-court controversies, have driven revenues up.

WNBA Betting Handle Year-Over-Year Increase

The 30th season of the WNBA has been one of the strongest in the league’s history. In addition to adding millions of new viewers and two expansion teams, basketball bettors have also taken an interest in The W.

According to multiple sportsbooks, betting on the WNBA is up 10% year-over-year.

Revenue could increase even more as the regular season winds down and teams push for a playoff spot. The league is set for a break at the beginning of September for the FIBA World Cup. When it returns to action, the final games of the season will lead into the start of the playoffs on September 27th.

The FIBA World Cup break presents an interesting challenge for the WNBA. A multi-week break could derail some of the league’s momentum. However, if the US team performs as well as expected, a championship performance in the World Cup could increase betting interest in the WNBA even more. 

What Teams are Driving Betting Revenue

The WNBA has had its fair share of on- and off-the-court controversies this season. However, operators claim that it is teams and a tight playoff race, not drama, that is driving the increase in revenue.

Fever star Caitlin Clark helped bring eyes and wagers to The W during her rookie season in 2024. So, it is not surprising that Indiana remains one of the most bet teams in futures markets this season.

Other teams that have received a significant number of wagers this year include:

• Minnesota Lynx
• Las Vegas Aces
• Golden State Valkyries
• Atlanta Dream

The growth appears to be sustainable, too, as the popularity of the WNBA increases. If the growth continues, sportsbooks are more likely to use WNBA bets for promos, too.

Impact of Off-Court Controversies

Much of the discourse around the WNBA has been overwhelmed by controversies that have little to do with the play on the court. However, while the media has focused on these issues, they do not appear to have significantly impacted betting.

The increase in betting handle has remained steady throughout the season, despite various controversies. As a result, it is fair to say that off-the-court issues have not been the driving force behind the increased betting handle.