The NHL’s popularity has been steadily increasing, with several key indicators pointing to a successful season. This growth is reflected in the league’s attendance numbers, which have risen by 1.5% compared to last season, with an average of 17,225 fans per game. The rise in attendance comes on the heels of a record-breaking season and is attributed to the league’s expanding global reach. NHL stars, like Leon Draisaitl, have emphasized their collective goal to continue growing the sport and increasing its visibility, both for financial reasons and for the future of the game.
Along with the sport’s rising popularity, sports betting, particularly in Las Vegas, is experiencing a significant boom. Westgate Superbook vice president of risk management Jeff Sherman reported an 18% increase in NHL betting handle compared to the previous year. This surge is attributed to several factors, including increased awareness of the sport, its broader availability on TV and streaming services, and the growing legalization of sports betting across various states. These developments have made betting on hockey more accessible and appealing to a broader audience.
Sherman further explained that the presence of sports betting in the mainstream media has contributed to educating bettors on how to wager on hockey. Networks now prominently display odds and betting lines during games, making it easier for newcomers to understand how to engage with the sport’s betting markets. This increased exposure has helped demystify concepts like the money line, which was once confusing to many potential bettors, and has made betting on the NHL more approachable for a wider demographic.
In addition to casual bettors, professional betting groups, known as “sharps,” are also playing a significant role in the growing betting handle. These groups have been particularly active in markets such as puck-line bets, totals, and first-period totals. They often wager on less conventional betting lines, like the puck-line, where the favored team must win by two or more goals. Sherman noted that these sharp bettors are helping to drive the volume of daily wagers, influencing the betting process in ways that benefit both casual and experienced players.
Locally, the popularity of player prop bets for the Vegas Golden Knights is also on the rise. The Westgate Superbook offers these props during Knights games, allowing bettors to wager on individual player performances. This type of betting has become increasingly popular, further highlighting the growing interest in NHL betting. Sherman’s comments reflect a broader trend of cyclical betting patterns, where sharps often fluctuate in their betting strategies. Despite these fluctuations, the overall growth of the NHL’s betting market continues to trend upwards, with teams like Edmonton, Carolina, and Dallas emerging as favorites for the Stanley Cup.
