The first 18 months of legal online sports betting have brought challenges for sportsbooks. One is lopsided betting percentages on teams or players in states in which those books operate.
Now that more and more states are opening up, we're finally seeing some interesting splits by bettors wanting to back their favorite players and teams.
Let's look at the NFL MVP market on DraftKings.
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More money has been put on Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady than any other player.
Despite being 16/1 to win, 16% of the handle is on Brady, while four others have 10% of the handle — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (4/1), Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (20/1), Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (25/1) and Saints quarterback Drew Brees (25/1).
But the biggest bias among DraftKings bettors is in the book's newest state, Colorado, where 24% of the money is on Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock. Despite being 70/1, he doubles the handle on Mahomes in Colorado.
In New Jersey and Pennsylvania, where many Eagles fans reside, Wentz has the edge, making up 16% of the handle in both states . And Pennsylvanians are the only bettors who didn't have Tom Brady amongst their three most bet players.
Interestingly, even though Brady left the Patriots, bettors in New Hampshire, many of whom support the team, have overwhelmingly put their money on Brady (51% of the New Hampshire handle).
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In Indiana, Brees edges out Mahomes (23% to 22% of the handle). His alma mater, Purdue, is in West Lafayette, Ind., so he's still got plenty of support in the state.
DraftKings hasn't reported any huge bets yet, but there has been money put on long shots like Lock.
One bettor put $300 on Lock at 50/1, while a bettor in Indiana put $200 on Gronk at 150/1 to win the MVP.
