The Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson boxing match was a goldmine for sportsbooks. It is now considered the most heavily wagered-upon fight in years.
The recent boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson was a goldmine for sportsbooks, setting new records for the most heavily wagered-upon fight in years. Paul, 27, demolished 58-year-old Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last November 16 (morning of November 17, 2024 in Asia).
The fight, streamed on Netflix, drew a record-breaking live audience of 60 million on Netflix. Record-breaking numbers were placed on the Tyson-Paul boxing match, surpassing any previous boxing or MMA event in BetMGM's history. Speaking to ESPN, BetMGM’s spokesperson described the spectacle as the sportsbook’s most heavily-wagered upon fight. The report, however, did not mention how much was bet on.
“Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight is the most bet combat sport (boxing + MMA) in BetMGM history,” BetMGM senior trader Alex Rella said, as quoted by USA Today. “Paul winning was a good outcome for the sportsbook.”
Craig Mucklow, vice president of trading at Caesars Sportsbook, likened the betting interest to a National Football League (NFL) Monday Night Football game, highlighting the match’s generational appeal.
Meanwhile, FanDuel Sportsbook data revealed that while 85% of bettors chose Mike Tyson, Jake Paul generated more overall wagering, accounting for 53% of the total bet amount. The most popular bet was for Tyson to win in the first round.Celebrities such as Shaquille O’Neal, Drake, and Connor McGregor also placed their bets.
The Tyson-Paul fight showcased the potential of live sports to drive significant betting engagement, a report by Asia Gaming Brief detailed. As Benedikt Becker, Marketing Director at Shikenso Analytics, noted, "betting on Tyson wasn’t logical, but it felt right." The social aspect of betting, fueled by social media, further contributed to the event's success.
Sportsbooks capitalized on the opportunity to attract new customers, offering generous promotions and bonus bets. The event also highlighted the growing interest in micro-betting, as exemplified by Jake Paul's own sportsbook, Betr.
The fight's success on Netflix has opened doors for other companies, including sports technology providers like Sportradar. Becker suggests that Netflix could integrate upselling features, such as player profiles and stats, powered by Sportradar's technology.
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