Record-breaking betting interest for Entain at Paris 2024 Olympics

The Paris 2024 Olympics saw a major surge in global betting activity, with sports betting and gaming giant Entain reporting double the betting volume compared to the Tokyo Games three years ago. The event, marked by standout performances from global superstars, drew unprecedented interest from bettors across Entain’s platforms, including bwin, BetMGM, Ladbrokes, and Coral.

Basketball emerged as the most popular sport for bettors during the Paris Games, followed by football, tennis, and volleyball. The men's basketball final, which saw the USA defeat France, was the most-wagered event, attracting significant bets from the United States and beyond through BetMGM.

Entain also highlighted a shift in betting trends, with swimming entering the top ten most-bet sports for the first time, largely driven by American swimmer Katie Ledecky’s record-breaking 9th Olympic gold medal. Athletics saw increased interest as well, with the men’s 100m final being particularly popular among bettors. American sprinter Noah Lyles, who won the gold, provided a windfall for those who backed him, as his odds lengthened after slower performances in the heats and semifinals.

However, the men’s 1500m final was a different story for Entain, as the race yielded a surprise win by outsider Cole Hocker at 20/1, delivering a substantial return for those who bet against the favorites, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr.

The Paris Games, which featured 329 gold medals across 32 sports, offered a unique range of betting opportunities. Entain noted that the Paris time zone was more favorable than Tokyo’s, allowing for greater engagement and betting activity. Sports that are historically less popular with bettors like swimming, hockey, rowing, and archery saw a notable increase in betting volumes, doubling those seen during the Tokyo Olympics.

“This was an unforgettable Olympics in Paris where global superstars showcased their athletic prowess," said Arild Ostbo, Head of Sports at Entain. "The world's biggest sports event continues to grow in popularity and betting interest. For our customers, the time zone of Paris compared to Tokyo three years ago provided a much better window for people to engage and bet on.”