Sportsbooks Drive WNBA Betting Growth in Key States
Yves Lehmann · Sep 20, 2026
Sportsbooks Drive WNBA Betting Growth in Key States
Data from five states shows basketball handle rising sharply as sportsbooks expand their WNBA offerings and bettors respond with increased volume. Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Maryland, and Oregon reported combined handle gains of 54 percent between 2023 and 2024, followed by an additional 34 percent increase during the 2025 season according to regulator figures. These gains coincide with broader league-wide activity that has pushed overall handle more than 50 percent ahead of the previous year.
Operator-Level Performance and Market Expansion
FanDuel recorded a 43 percent year-over-year rise in total WNBA bets, with volume climbing 88 percent in the two-and-a-half weeks immediately following the World Cup. BetMGM reported both bets and handle up approximately 50 percent compared with the prior season. Player prop betting and same-game parlays have contributed to the surge, reflecting bettor interest in granular WNBA matchups and in-game combinations that sportsbooks now promote more aggressively.
State Regulator Data Patterns
Regulator reports from the five tracked states document consistent handle growth across consecutive seasons, with the 2025 figures building directly on the 54 percent jump recorded the year before. Observers note that the sustained increases appear tied to expanded market access and promotional activity by major operators rather than isolated spikes. The data covers basketball betting broadly, yet the WNBA component has emerged as a noticeable driver within those totals.
Those who monitor these markets point out that same-game parlays and player props have become more prominent in WNBA offerings, allowing bettors to combine multiple outcomes from a single game. This shift aligns with operator efforts to increase engagement during the league's regular season and playoffs. Handle figures continue to track upward as the 2026 calendar moves into September, maintaining the trajectory established in 2025.
League-Wide Handle Trends
The league's overall handle has moved more than 50 percent ahead of the prior year, according to aggregated operator and regulator information. This pace reflects both higher per-game wagering and an increase in the number of games drawing meaningful betting interest. Sportsbooks have responded by adjusting limits, refining odds displays, and featuring WNBA markets more prominently on their platforms.
Figures released by FanDuel and BetMGM illustrate parallel growth at the operator level, with each platform showing roughly comparable percentage increases in WNBA activity. The pattern holds across different bet types, including traditional moneyline and spread wagers as well as the newer prop and parlay formats. Data from the five states continues to serve as a leading indicator for national trends because those jurisdictions publish detailed monthly breakdowns that capture basketball handle separately.
Betting Format Shifts
Player prop betting has expanded alongside same-game parlays, giving users more ways to engage with individual performances and game scripts. Operators have integrated these options into their mobile apps and promotional calendars, which in turn supports the observed volume increases. The 34 percent handle rise in the five states during 2025 occurred while these features gained additional visibility, suggesting a connection between product development and wagering activity.
State-level data remains the primary source for confirming year-over-year changes, while operator announcements supply context on which bet types are driving the totals. The combination of these sources shows a market that has expanded steadily rather than through one-time events. As the 2026 season progresses, the same states continue to report elevated handle levels that exceed 2025 benchmarks by measurable margins.
Conclusion
Regulator data from Illinois, Indiana, Colorado, Maryland, and Oregon, together with operator reports from FanDuel and BetMGM, document sustained growth in WNBA betting activity. Handle in the tracked states rose 54 percent from 2023 to 2024 and then another 34 percent in 2025, while league-wide figures now sit more than 50 percent above the previous year. Player props and same-game parlays have formed part of this expansion, and overall volume continues to reflect increased sportsbook focus on the league.