Researchers from the Department of Sport Analytics at Syracuse University Discuss Racial Preferences in WNBA Wagering Trends

by Kevin Lentz, 2 July 2026

Research from Syracuse University and Coastal Carolina University has examined whether racial preferences may influence betting activity in the WNBA. Published in the Journal of Gambling Business and Economics on 17 February 2026, the study was authored by Nick Riccardi, Rodney J. Paul, Gina Pauline and Andrew Weinbach. Riccardi, Paul and Pauline are affiliated with Syracuse University, while Weinbach is affiliated with Coastal Carolina University. The full paper, Do Bettors Have Racial Preferences? Evidence from WNBA Betting Markets, is available here.

The findings were discussed at the 19th International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking, held from May 26 to 28 at the Bellagio Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The researchers focused on the 2024 WNBA season, when Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese made their league debuts. Using wagering data provided by Action Network, they examined whether betting patterns reflected racial preferences and whether the arrival of two high-profile rookies influenced wagering activity.

Reese and Clark Driving WNBA Popularity

Clark and Reese entered the WNBA following a highly publicized rivalry that began during their NCAA careers. Their continued competition helped draw greater attention to the league at a time when legal sports betting was expanding across the United States.

Following the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to overturn PASPA, sports betting has continued to grow across the country. By the end of 2024, 38 states had legalized sports betting, creating a larger market for researchers to analyze betting behavior.

Against that backdrop, the researchers focused on two main questions: whether race influenced wagering behavior and whether star players affected betting volume.

When we spoke to Nick Riccardi about why he decided to conduct this study and what he set out to find, he said:

“We decided to conduct [this study] as these markets are understudied. Women’s sports in general tend to receive less attention than men’s sports, and for the WNBA study in particular, there has also been a major shift in the league the last few years with the arrivals of star young players Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese.”

As sports betting has become more widely available, the popularity of Clark and Reese has coincided with increased interest in WNBA wagering. Using Action Network betting data, the researchers found that Clark’s impact on wagering activity was greater than Reese’s, although both players were associated with increased betting interest.

More information about the WNBA is available on the league’s official website.

Breaking Down the Research

The researchers analyzed WNBA betting data using statistical models to examine whether betting volume was associated with the percentage of White players on team rosters. They also considered factors including the presence of Clark or Reese, scheduling conflicts with other major sporting events and game characteristics.

Their analysis identified several notable patterns. Games featuring teams with a higher percentage of White players were associated with increased betting volume. Betting activity also increased when either Clark or Reese played. In contrast, betting volume fell when major competing sports were taking place, while games played at weekends attracted fewer bets than weekday contests.

Did Race Influence WNBA Betting?

The study suggests there may be racial preferences among some bettors, but the researchers stop short of concluding that race alone explains the betting patterns they observed.

The analysis found greater betting activity in games involving teams with a higher proportion of White players. However, the authors note that these findings could reflect superstar effects as well as potential racial preferences.

Clark’s popularity clearly contributed to increased wagering activity. At the same time, the researchers found a relatively balanced distribution of wagers placed both for and against her, suggesting her influence extended beyond straightforward betting support.

Reese also generated consistent betting interest throughout the season. While Clark produced the larger measurable impact on overall betting volume, Reese’s presence was likewise associated with increased wagering activity, highlighting the role both players played in attracting attention to WNBA betting markets.

Whether race directly influenced wagering behavior cannot be determined conclusively from the findings. Instead, the researchers conclude that both superstar effects and potential racial preferences may have contributed to the betting patterns observed.

Nick Riccardi said:

“The findings of the WNBA study suggest there may be racial preferences of bettors supporting teams with more White players. However, we are still unsure whether this is driven by superstar effects or racial biases. We find a significant increase in total betting volume when a game features more White players on the rosters. Furthermore, the percentage bet on the home team in the point spread market increases when the home team features more White players compared to the road team.”

Why Angel Reese Matters Beyond the Findings

Beyond the study’s conclusions, Reese’s impact on the WNBA extends beyond betting data. Since entering the league, she has become one of its most recognizable players, contributing to increased engagement around the Chicago Sky and the league more broadly.

Her continued rivalry with Clark has also helped sustain interest in the WNBA, illustrating how individual stars can influence the popularity of women’s basketball alongside the trends identified in academic research.