Most Popular NBA and NHL Teams and Players Wagered on at BetMGM for the 2025 Season
Unleashing the Betting Frenzy: Uncovering the Most Popular NHL and NBA Players and Teams for the 2025 Season
In the thrilling world of sports betting, the spotlight shines bright on the National Hockey League (NHL) and National Basketball Association (NBA) as fans eagerly place their bets. According to the insights shared by BetMGM, the 2025 season saw a Russian-born NHL player and a Canadian-born NBA player garnering the most attention from punters.
The NHL's Most Bet Player: The Great 8's Grip on the Hockey World
Alexander Ovechkin, the illustrious forward for the Washington Capitals, sent shockwaves through the sports betting community with his staggering popularity. He accounted for a whopping 1.91% of all tickets and an impressive 2.22% of the handle. As Ovechkin continues his relentless pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time goal record, it comes as no surprise that he draws the attention of the betting masses.
A Shift in NBA Betting Focus: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Breaks the Mold
In contrast to the NHL, NBA betting trends present a more intriguing picture. The Toronto Raptors' homegrown talent, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, was among the top five most bet players, which is remarkable considering he was the only one who reached the NBA Finals. Gilgeous-Alexander consistently claimed a sizeable share of the betting market, with 1.55% of all player prop tickets and an impressive run in the league earning him the coveted title of NBA MVP in May.
The Most Bet NHL Teams: A Bettor's Delight or Disappointment?
Swirling around the bettors' hype were four NHL teams that commanded the majority of attention throughout the regular season: the Winnipeg Jets, Washington Capitals, Vegas Golden Knights, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite these teams finishing the regular season with the highest point totals, the top four teams when it came to betting shares were a re-ordered version of the same four teams. Alarmingly, heavyweights like the Los Angeles Kings and Tampa Bay Lightning, who scored over 100 points, didn’t make it to the top 10 in ticket count or handle.
The Most Bet NBA Teams: The Lakers' Reign and Other Surprises
Jumping into the NBA betting scene, BetMGM’s statistics indicated that the Los Angeles Lakers reigned supreme, claiming both the largest handle share of 6.19% and ticket share of 5.84%. The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers followed closely behind, generating impressive betting interest from fans across the globe.
Embrace the Risks, Enjoy the Rewards
The enchanting world of sports betting promises both excitement and the potential for significant rewards but beware, success requires a keen understanding of the intricate dynamics as the ebb and flow of patterns can transform into a mad dance of fortune. So, grab your bets, dial up the suspense, and enjoy the wild ride!
Enrichment Data Insights
For the 2025 season, BetMGM shared insights into the most bet on NHL and NBA players and teams, including ticket and handle shares for the regular season. However, the details regarding individual NHL players’ specific ticket and handle share percentages were not provided for the regular season in the available data. Moreover, the focus was chiefly on Alexander Ovechkin as the most bet NHL player by ticket count. When it comes to team-level betting, the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, and Edmonton Oilers dominated the scene, with the Maple Leafs holding the top position in both ticket share and handle share.
In the NBA, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic were among the most bet players, with Jokic leading in player prop betting by garnering the majority of bets, accounting for 1.9% of all NBA player bets and 1.78% of all handle placed on players during the regular season. Additionally, Gilgeous-Alexander had the fifth-most player prop tickets with 1.55% of the total. No other NBA player had a ticket or handle share above 1.5% or 1.3%, respectively, during the regular season. As for team-level betting, the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Cleveland Cavaliers emerged as the teams of choice, led by the Lakers, who claimed the highest positions in both ticket share and handle share.
- In the dynamic realm of sports betting, the most bet NHL player was Alexander Ovechkin, accounting for a significant 1.91% of all tickets and an impressive 2.22% of the handle, highlighting his dominance in the sport.
- Surprisingly, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a Toronto Raptors player who didn't reach the NBA Finals, was among the top five most bet NBA players. He garnered a notable 1.55% of all player prop tickets, showcasing a wider spread of fan interests in the NBA.
- Both the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Maple Leafs were the most bet teams in their respective leagues, with the Lakers leading impressively by holding 6.19% of the largest handle share and 5.84% of the ticket share in the NBA, and the Maple Leafs topping the NHL ticket and handle share charts.
