Leading the Pack: The Top US Colleges in Sports Betting Terms
Supporting and betting on US college sports have become cherished traditions in many centers where witnessing the participants' athleticism, competition, and school spirit draws fans and punters into the electrifying spectacle. Several US institutions have emerged as titans in college sports, dominating playing fields and capturing their fans' hearts.
Whether football, basketball, baseball, or soccer, these iconic colleges have raised the bar for excellence in the sporting realm, encouraging many supporters to consider gambling on them through sports betting platforms available in their states. Let's explore some top sports-playing US colleges while considering their betting support in various betting markets across the US and beyond.
University of Florida
"The state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe of Florida will be raking in hundreds of millions of dollars from online sports betting this decade, thanks to a compact between the tribe and Gov. Ron DeSantis that gave the tribe exclusive rights to run sports wagers as well as casino gambling on its reservations." - Reporter, AP News Florida
Although sports bettors in the Sunshine State can now back their favorite University of Florida Gators sports teams legally, they can only do so through a single betting app or in designated physical locations. As such, many Floridians continue to use offshore betting sites for their wagers. The Florida Gators have long been one of the US's most recognized college outfits and are well-supported in sports betting circles.
The performances of the most elite Gators teams, namely their football and basketball sides, have waned in recent years. However, the support the University of Florida has in the sports betting realm is almost unrivaled in college sports. Strong performances in other sports like swimming, track and field, and gymnastics have maintained and grown the passionate fanbase synonymous with the University of Florida.
Clemson University
"South Carolina sports betting is yet to be regulated, with four proposed bills failing to pass between 2019 and 2023. However, that doesn’t mean that bettors are left without a range of sportsbook options." - Harrison Broom, Sports Betting Expert, readwrite
The fervent betting support for Clemson University's sports teams has led those wanting to place wagers on the college's stars to turn to offshore sportsbooks accessible for players in South Carolina. Clemson University has emerged as a recognized force in college sports, with The Tigers' football program, led by longstanding head coach William "Dabo" Swinney, experiencing much recent success.
Clemson football has captured multiple national championships and conference titles in the past decade, growing its support base and swelling the number of bets wagered on The Tigers. Beyond football, Clemson excels in other sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball, consistently competing at the highest level in its state-of-the-art facilities.
University of California
"Sports betting is not currently legal anywhere in the Golden State. That includes all formats across retail, online, and mobile. Numerous interested parties continue to try to legalize and regulate online sportsbooks in the Golden State. Although Californians cannot legally place sports wagers in the Golden State, there are neighboring states where regulated sports betting is in place." - Christian Crowther-Smith, Feature Freelancer, New York Post
While pressure is being applied to Californian authorities to legalize sports betting, like in South Carolina, UCLA fans looking to wager on their teams and players have no option (besides traveling to a neighboring state) but to access offshore gambling sites to do so. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the University of California boasts a history of sporting success across multiple codes.
Eight UCLA sporting teams rank in the NCAA Top 25, with The Bruins' Women's water polo outfit the best in the country. Additionally, the UCLA Bruins excel in sports like volleyball, golf, basketball, tennis, gymnastics, softball, and baseball. With its commitment to athletic achievement, UCLA has encouraged hosts of avid supporters on the sidelines and through offshore betting sites.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
"Mobile and online sports wagering across North Carolina took off on [March 11], as several licensed gambling operators started taking bets nine months after legislation to authorize such activity statewide became law … Registered customers within the state’s borders can bet on professional, college, or Olympic-style sports." - Gary D. Robertson & Erik Verduzco, Journalists, AP News
Unlike California and their South Carolina neighbors, North Carolina has recently passed legislation making it 100% legal for sports supporters of UNC-Chapel Hill to wager on their chosen sporting codes. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, home of the Tar Heels, has a history of success at the college sports level.
The Tar Heels basketball program, now under the guidance of head coach Hubert Davis, is continuing where previous coaching legends Dean Smith and Roy Williams left off. In 2022, Davis became the fourth ACC head coach in the past 25 years to win 20 games in his debut season, and the UNC-Chapel Hill form is encouraging more wagers, not only in basketball but in soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, among others.