The Empire State’s Betting Frenzy: Yankees Reign Supreme
October is shaping up to be a thrilling month for New York sports enthusiasts, with the Knicks, Rangers, Islanders, Jets, and Giants all vying for attention. However, the real excitement lies in baseball, where the Mets and Yankees are battling it out in the league championship series for the first time in over two decades.
A Tale of Two Teams
The Mets have undergone a remarkable transformation, from long shots to legitimate contenders, and have garnered significant betting support along the way. Their odds of winning the World Series have plummeted from 150-1 in early June to become a popular bet in the second half of the season. According to Johnny Avello, sportsbook director for DraftKings, the Mets are now the book’s worst outcome if they were to win the World Series.
Despite this, the Yankees remain the clear favorite among New York bettors. More money has been wagered on the Yankees this season than any other team in any sport, both in New York and nationally. The 162-game baseball schedule plays a significant role in this, but veteran bookmakers agree that the Yankees have always been the team to beat.
A Glimpse into the Past
Before the advent of online betting, New York City bookmakers operated clandestinely, often out of rental properties in the Bronx or Queens. They avoided jurisdictions with tough gambling penalties and sought landlords willing to turn a blind eye. Almost all bets were placed over the phone, with some vintage coffee shops taking action over the counter.
The Evolution of Bookmaking
Fast-forward to today, and the NYC betting market has undergone a dramatic transformation. Roughly 90% of bets are now placed online with licensed sportsbooks, some of which have offices on Park Avenue. While much has changed, one thing remains constant: New Yorkers still bet big on the Yankees.
Hometown Support
In the playoffs, however, the hometown support for the Mets is palpable. The Mets attracted nearly 88% of the money wagered on Game 2 of the NLCS at ESPN BET in New York. Nationwide, the Mets had around 53% of the money wagered on the game.
Betting Action Heats Up
Betting action often varies from one sportsbook to the next, but one thing is clear: the Yankees are the team to beat. Pikkit, an app that tracks sportsbook bets, reveals that more than $48 million has been wagered on the Yankees this season, the most of any team and nearly double the amount bet on the Mets.
As the baseball season reaches its climax, one thing is certain: New York sports fans will be betting big on their favorite teams. Will the Yankees continue to reign supreme, or can the Mets pull off a stunning upset? Only time will tell.
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