Wagering on women’s sports is experiencing a meteoric rise in popularity, according to the latest data provided by global sports betting company OpenBet. The excitement surrounding the NCAA’s Women’s March Madness, boosted by the ‘Caitlin Clark Effect’, has marked a sea change for a sport and competition in which the men’s game has historically dominated wagering activity.

This year, the women’s college basketball championship saw record wagers processed through the OpenBet sports betting platform, as South Carolina’s victory over Iowa it clutched the title of most watched national basketball game in five years.

The tournament’s Final Four also attracted an average of 10.8 million views per match, up more than 130% on last year and higher than the men’s game. This upward trend in recognition of women’s sport shows no sign of slowing down.

“The women’s national championship between Iowa and South Carolina was the highest wagered event of the entire tournament,” said Jake Schmidt, MTS Trader at OpenBet.

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As interest in women’s basketball skyrockets, OpenBet is strengthening its player props offering to remain competitive and attract more bettors than ever before.

“A constituent and increasing offering of player prop markets is vital to ensuring the popularity of women’s March Madness across the sports betting landscape continues to grow,” Schmidt said.

“With different universities making the tournament each year, I believe this will continue to keep consumers engaged as it is something new each year.”

There also continues to be wider coverage of women’s sports in the US media and on TV than ever before. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark, at the age of just 22, has left a lasting impact on women’s basketball as the NCAA’s top scorer and gaining endorsements from the likes of Nike.

“This year, there were multiple high-profile players driving this increase in popularity,” said Schmidt.

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“The media highlighted all games including key players such as USC’s Juju Watkins, South Carolina’s coach Dawn Staley and player Kamilla Cardoso, and others from LSU, UConn and Iowa Hawkeyes.”

Another reason for its increase in prominence and wagering activity is down to the length of time women typically spend at college.

“In contrast to the men’s game, female athletes generally choose to remain in college for longer before choosing to participate in the WNBA draft, allowing consumers to get to know them more and build familiarity,” said Schmidt.

OpenBet continues to deliver a robust and reliable betting engine enabling more people than ever to wager on women’s sports with confidence. As this trend continues, the award-winning provider will add further player props and sports to exceed expectations from sports bettors.

Elys BMG Group announced that The Ugly Mug in Washington D.C. has been granted provisional approval from the District of Columbia Office of Lottery and Gaming Regulation and Oversight Division (DCOLG) to open its sportsbook at 723 8th St. SE. As the fourth privately owned sportsbook venue in the District powered by Elys’ innovative Gameboard betting technology, The Ugly Mug stands as a testament to Elys’ commitment to bringing cutting-edge solutions to local businesses and sports enthusiasts.

The grand opening for The Ugly Mug sportsbook is anticipated to occur during the week of April 27th. Elys will unveil the grand opening festivities, promotions, and events as the date draws closer.

With easy access to sports wagering and a classic American menu in a relaxed setting, The Ugly Mug sportsbook is set to become a premier destination in the Navy Yard region of Washington D.C. and is another step forward for Elys becoming the leading betting technology provider for neighborhood sportsbooks in the US.

Rush Street Interactive (RSI), a leading US-based betting and gaming company, announced the renewal of its exclusive multi-year agreement with New York sports broadcasting legend, Mike Francesa. The renewal solidifies Francesa’s ongoing commitment to BetRivers.

“I’m thrilled to continue my partnership with BetRivers, which in my opinion offers the best online sportsbook in the industry. Joining forces with the RSI team enables me to connect with fans in exciting and easily accessible ways, while providing my insight and instant reaction to the biggest games to audiences not only in New York but across BetRivers markets nationwide,” Francesa said.

A Radio Hall of Famer with a career spanning over three decades, Francesa has been a household name in New York sports radio. From his groundbreaking years co-hosting the legendary “Mike and the Mad Dog” program on WFAN to his decade at CBS Sports as a studio analyst, Francesa’s influence on sports broadcasting is unparalleled. His accolades include multiple wins of the prestigious Marconi Award as “Major Market Personality of the Year,” a testament to his enduring impact on the industry.

Under this renewed partnership, Francesa will continue to serve exclusively to BetRivers as a provider of network and social media content. Operating from his hometown of New York City, Francesa will host a new daily show on YouTube on “The Mike Francesa Podcast” channel, offering expert insights and analysis on breaking news stories and game reactions. Additionally, he will produce a series of digital videos featured on the BetRivers platform, enriching the betting experience for sports enthusiasts nationwide. He will also meet and greet BetRivers customers in personal appearances in BetRivers markets on the east coast.

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Richard Schwartz, CEO of RSI, said: “We are delighted to have Mike Francesa, the undisputed ‘King of New York’ radio, renew his partnership with our BetRivers family of Brand Ambassadors. Our BetRivers audience will now be able to see and hear Mike every weekday! Our customers tell us that his passion for sports, along with the stories Mike shares from when he worked with Jimmy the Greek, add a new level of fun to their betting experiences, further solidifying RSI’s dedication to providing top tier sportsbook entertainment.”