Here’ some more proof that New Jersey sports-betting is still growing at a pace – and specifically at DraftKings.
Novak Djokovic’s defeat on Sunday of Roger Federer brought them more bets than in any other tennis final this year.
And this was especially so, in the case of live bets, DraftKings told Gambling.com this week.
In terms of total wagers, DraftKings said, “We took in about 50% more than we did in our second highest tennis match”.
This was also played at Wimbledon last week. It was the stunning semi-final in which 43-year-old Federer defeated Rafael Nadal.
In Saturday’s rousing five-set final, some 55% of those total wagers came in live, in-play bets.
DraftKings was the first of New Jersey’s 14 sportsbooks to launch after betting prohibition was lifted in May last year. It has also been one of the state’s most successful, vying monthly with FanDuel for market leadership.
DraftKings in good position to make comparisons
But it was not yet in business when Wimbledon, traditionally the year’s third Grand Slam event, was played. It has, however, been active ever since.
It was up and running when the 2018 US Open and the 2019 Australian and French Opens were staged. It was, therefore, in a good position to make Grand Slam comparisons.
Sports-betting in England is old hat. That’s not the case in New Jersey where it has only been legal for a year.
It, therefore, gave punters from this state a first chance to enjoy wagering on one of sport’s most iconic contests.
And nothing could have better set it up as a wagering standout than the brilliant Federer-Nadal semi-final.
Djokovic’s 7-6, 1-6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12 five-hour victory was the longest in a Wimbledon final. It also was one of the closest. Its length and intensity clearly had a great deal to do with the record number of punters it attracted.
Tennis, like baseball, is a good medium for live betting
That the game was lawn tennis also had a lot to do with its high percentage of live bets. With its frequent stops and large numbers of games, sets, and matches it’s the ideal medium for live betting. Baseball and cricket are two others.
So even was the battle – except in the tie-breaks – it might, but for a new Wimbledon rule, have gone on for days.
Previously there were no tie-breaks at Wimbledon – and it has led to some ridiculous contests.
The one in 2010 between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut was a case in point. It went on for three days and ended with a final set score of 70-68. Not surprisingly, Isner lost in straight sets in the next round.
Traditional tie-breaks were then introduced at Wimbledon except in the final set. In this set, it was established, a tie-break should only click in after 12 games.
Again, as he had done in the two previous tie-breaks, Djokovic once more prevailed. It earned him his 6th Wimbledon title, but he’ll need two more to match Feeder’s eight.
Any (prop) bets he’ll do it?