Entain Reports Record-Breaking Olympics Betting Activity

Operator Entain has revealed unprecedented player activity during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with betting traffic reaching record levels. Basketball emerged as the most popular sport by bet volume, significantly surpassing other events.

Entain reported that the betting volume at this summer’s Olympics was double that of the Tokyo 2020 Games, making Paris 2024 the most successful Olympic event for the company to date. Basketball topped the charts as the most wagered-on sport, followed by football, tennis, and volleyball. The men’s basketball final between the USA and France was the most bet-on individual event.

Additionally, swimming and athletics saw substantial increases in betting interest, both securing spots in the top 10 most wagered-on sports, with athletics ranking eighth and swimming tenth. The Men’s 100m final, highlighted by Noah Lyles’ performance, was the most popular athletics event. Entain noted that its most favorable outcome came from the Men’s 1500m final, where Cole Hocker’s unexpected victory at 20/1 provided a significant return.

Despite these record figures, the wagering activity at the Paris 2024 Olympics is expected to be only a fraction of that generated by major events like Euro 2024 or Copa America. Nevertheless, Entain remains encouraged by the upward trend in Olympic betting activity. This news follows Entain's recent H1 results, which reported a 6% increase in total group net gaming revenue.

Arild Ostbo, Entain’s Head of Sports, commented:

“This was an unforgettable Olympics in Paris where global superstars showcased their athletic prowess. 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.”