WAGERING PREFERENCES OF NFL BETTORS: DETERMINANTS OF BETTING VOLUME

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Published: Dec 19, 2012
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5750/jpm.v6i1.496

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Rodney J Paul
St. Bonaventure University
Andrew Weinbach

Abstract

Actual betting volume, in terms of the number of bets placed on each game, is studied for the 2008 National Football League season.  The dataset includes bets placed through a select group of online sportsbooks, collectively totaling an average of more than 85,000 bets per game.  Game-to-game betting volume is shown to be affected by television coverage, as prime-time games on NBC and ESPN have large positive and significant effects.  NFL Network coverage, not universally available for viewers, is shown to have a negative and significant effect.  Bettors are also shown to prefer matchups between high-quality teams, enjoy uncertainty of outcome, and prefer expected high scoring contests.  It appears much of the betting action on NFL football reflects consumption, rather than investment.

Article Details

Issue
Vol. 6 No. 1 (2012)
Section
Articles

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