What a Game 7 it was for BetMGM.
The online sportsbook announced Wednesday that Monday’s series finale between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers set a new mark as the most-bet NHL game in the operator’s history.
The Panthers won 2-1 to capture their first Stanley Cup and avoid blowing a 3-0 series lead.
“Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final was not only BetMGM’s most bet NHL game ever, but it was also the ideal outcome for us,” Christian Cipollini, BetMGM trading manager, said. “Game 7 is usually something we want as a sportsbook, and Edmonton coming back down 3-0 drove a lot of Oilers bets. The Panthers were one of our best outcomes throughout the season, so we were hoping Florida could win it in seven.”
With the NBA Finals wrapping up a week earlier and in just five games, getting a Game 7 in hockey was the ideal situation in late June for sportsbooks. Three hours before puck drop, FanDuel Canada had already announced that game 7 was also its most-bet NHL game.
This is the most bet on NHL game EVER at FanDuel three hours before puck drop ?
— TSN EDGE (@TSN_Edge) June 24, 2024
To this point, they've taken 3x more bets on tonight’s #StanleyCup Game 7 than their next closest NHL game in the sportsbook's history (Game 5 of this series).@FanDuelCanada pic.twitter.com/fAmFfgb5En
Interest rises
BetMGM told Covers earlier in the week that after the Oilers fell into an 0-3 series deficit, 74% of the money was on Edmonton to win the series. On Monday, 60% of the handle was on the Oilers moneyline at -105.
The extended drama led to a rise in interest. BetMGM said it saw a 24% handle rise from women betting on this Stanley Cup playoffs compared to the previous season.
The handle from Canadian bettors also jumped 37% year-over-year, as Edmonton nearly gave the nation its first NHL champion since 1993.
Shining bright
One of the biggest stars in the league put his skills on display in the playoffs this year, benefitting fans watching and sportsbooks taking wagers.
Edmonton's Connor McDavid received the Conn Smythe Trophy, the award given to the Stanley Cup Final MVP, despite being on the losing team.
BetMGM said McDavid’s player props brought in nearly two times as many bets as teammate Leon Draisaitl, who received the second-most wagers.
As popular as McDavid is, he was BetMGM’s third favorite to win the award prior to Game 4, behind Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky and Matthew Tkachuk. Following McDavid's eight-point breakout in Games 4 and 5, the Oilers captain became the all-but-guaranteed winner.
While it ultimately worked out for BetMGM, a crazy Conn Smythe Trophy odds swing during Game 7 made for high drama on Monday night at FanDuel.
