Tennis- More Betting
Tennis Betting: The Sleeping Giant of Online Sports Wagering in the USA
While traditionally overshadowed by football, basketball, and baseball, tennis has begun to carve out its place as a high-potential market for online sportsbooks.
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Tennis, a sport synonymous with precision, passion, and global appeal, is fast emerging as a key battleground in the rapidly growing online sports betting market in the United States. While traditionally overshadowed by football, basketball, and baseball, tennis has begun to carve out its place as a high-potential market for online sportsbooks.
A recent Trend Report for 2025 from owners of BetMGM, Entain, highlights a significant surge in tennis betting, coupled with rising controversies around player abuse by disgruntled gamblers, paints a fascinating picture of the sport’s evolving betting landscape.
A Surge in Tennis Betting
According to Entain, the owners of the online sports betting site BetMGM, tennis is increasingly commanding the attention of bettors. In its latest report, the company identified tennis as a "key growth market," citing its global calendar, frequent events, and live-action appeal as primary drivers for its increasing popularity. Unlike seasonal sports, tennis bets offer year-round opportunity, with major tournaments like Wimbledon, the US Open, and the French Open drawing in massive global audiences.
The report also notes that live betting, where fans place wagers during the match as events unfold, is particularly well-suited to tennis. With its fast-paced format, frequent momentum shifts, and predictable scoring systems, tennis allows bettors to engage deeply with the action in real time. This immersive experience has helped tennis leapfrog many traditional sports in terms of betting volume in certain markets.
The Flip Side: Online Abuse of Tennis Players
While the rise in tennis betting presents enormous opportunities for operators and bettors alike, it has also cast a dark shadow over the sport. Recent data collected by the International Tennis Federation, Women’s Tennis Association, the All England Lawn Tennis Club and United States Tennis Association, and published in a report by SBC Americas, revealed a troubling trend: online abuse directed at players is on the rise, often stemming from losing gamblers venting their frustration at losing tennis picks.
This issue is particularly pronounced in tennis because of its unique structure. Unlike team sports, tennis is an individual game where players bear sole responsibility for the outcome. This makes them a direct target for disgruntled bettors who have suffered financial losses. Social media platforms have become a hotbed for such abuse, with players receiving threats, insults, and even demands to influence match outcomes.
Tennis authorities, betting companies, and players’ associations are beginning to take notice. Initiatives aimed at tackling online abuse, such as tighter regulation of gambling platforms and increased monitoring of news and social media, are being implemented to protect players from the negative fallout of their growing role in the betting world.
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Why Tennis is the Sleeping Giant of Sports Betting
Several factors position tennis as the "sleeping giant" in the U.S. online sports betting market:
- Year-Round Action: Unlike football or basketball, which are seasonal, tennis operates on a global calendar, offering betting opportunities almost every week of the year.
- Global Star Power: Tennis boasts international icons like Novak Djokovic, Iga Świątek, and Carlos Alcaraz, whose appeal transcends borders. The global reach of high ranking tennis players attracts bettors from diverse markets.
- Data-Driven Betting: Tennis matches provide rich statistical data, from first-serve percentages to break-point conversions, making it ideal for analytical and live betting.
- In-Play Betting Opportunities: The format of tennis, with frequent breaks and set changes, allows bettors to engage dynamically, reacting to momentum shifts in real time.
- Emerging U.S. Market: With sports betting becoming increasingly legalized across states, U.S. sportsbooks are looking to diversify their offerings. Tennis, with its consistent schedule and broad appeal, provides an untapped reservoir of potential.
Tennis Betting: The Future
The dual-edged sword of rising tennis betting popularity cannot be ignored. On the one hand, the sport’s ability to attract bettors year-round positions it as a key growth market in the U.S. On the other hand, the accompanying challenges, such as online abuse and integrity issues, will require careful management.
As online sportsbooks like BetMGM continue to expand, tennis is primed to play a larger role in the U.S. betting landscape. With its combination of global appeal, data-driven opportunities, and year-round excitement, tennis may soon transform from a sleeping giant into a dominant force in the world of sports betting.