Curious Curling Draws Big Bets at Milan Cortina Games

Curling, a sport known for its smooth stone slides and strategic sweeping, has become a surprising hotspot for bettors during the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. While hockey traditionally dominates wagering, oddsmakers are noticing a sharp rise in interest for curling matches, especially after the Swedish team claimed gold in mixed doubles. The betting volume on this event is expected to far exceed last year’s figures, thanks in part to the expansion of legal sports gambling across the United States and the convenient time zones that allow live coverage. A senior trader at Caesars Sportsbook predicts that curling alone could bring in a seven‑figure total, a figure that surprised many industry insiders.The International Olympic Committee keeps a close eye on wagering activity to safeguard the Games’ integrity, noting that overall betting on the 2024 Summer Olympics reached a record 11 billion euros. Even with fewer events than summer games, the Winter Games are projected to see higher betting totals than the 2022 Beijing Olympics. American gamblers tend to favor their own athletes in niche sports such as curling, ski jumping, and biathlon, a trend highlighted by BetMGM’s senior trading manager. This patriotic bias often leads to higher stakes on U. S. competitors, even when the athletes are not household names. However, increased betting comes with risks. The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that sports bettors are twice as likely to develop gambling problems compared with the general population. Public health groups warn of potential financial, legal, and personal consequences, urging responsible play and the use of tools like GambBan or BetBlocker to limit access.