UFC’s fight card Saturday night on ESPN generated the weekend’s largest betting deal with at Las Vegas sportsbooks.
However on a weekend that additionally featured the return of NASCAR, golf and Bundesliga, Russian table tennis was the shock runaway runner-up in cash wagered at William Hill.
“UFC was No. 1, Russian ping pong was No. 2 and the remaining had been far, far, far under,” stated William Hill sportsbook director Nick Bogdanovich, who estimated there was 5 occasions as a lot cash guess on table tennis Sunday than on NASCAR, soccer and golf mixed.
“It’s simply a lot larger than anything happening every day,” he stated. “Each bookmaker I discuss to says the identical factor. For no matter motive, it attracts a ton of motion.”
Whereas William Hill took near $1 million in bets on Saturday’s UFC occasion, Bogdanovich stated it takes near $1 million in every day wagers on Russian table tennis.
“There’s 100 matches a day and regular motion all day lengthy. By the tip of the day, it provides up,” he stated. “We didn’t know we’d write that type of enterprise till we began it.
“We put up every part — darts, judo, Burundi soccer, esports. All of them have the identical means to attract motion and haven’t. For no matter motive, they gravitate towards that sport.”
UFC additionally led the way in which in weekend deal with at South Level, MGM Resorts and the Westgate.
“UFC has actually been carrying the e-book since we reopened (the Westgate cell app),” Westgate sportsbook director John Murray stated. “If it wasn’t for the UFC, there actually wouldn’t be a motive for us to be open the final two weeks.
“Different sports activities have been robust sledding. I don’t assume we’re going to see a giant deal with quantity from public gamers till we see a sport come again like (Main League Baseball).”
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com. Comply with @tdewey33 on Twitter.