Sports Betting Leaders: Discover the NBA and NHL Players and Teams Who Have Bet the Most
Sports Betting Rankings: Most Bet NBA and NHL Players and Teams
As Gilgeous-Alexander and McDavid lead their teams into the NBA and NHL Finals, the stakes are incredibly high for fans engaging in sports betting, making these championship matchups must-watch events for every wagerer.
The LA Lakers as the Most Bet NBA Team, Golden Knights as the Most Bet NHL Team
Jokic Sets New League Highs in Tickets and Handle
As Canadian sports fans gear up for an exciting finals season, two exceptional talents—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA and Connor McDavid in the NHL—are making headlines. This season has showcased their prowess, and fans are eager for the showdown ahead.
The Edmonton Oilers, under the leadership of Connor McDavid from Richmond Hill, Ontario, are set to face the Florida Panthers at Rogers Place. In this rematch of last year’s finals, the Panthers claimed victory in a thrilling seven-game series.
Coming up on Thursday, the Oklahoma City Thunder, guided by Canadian MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will host the Indiana Pacers for Game 1 of the NBA Finals. After a stellar performance this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has jumped from +900 to -625 in odds for winning the finals MVP at BetMGM.
“The Thunder are strong favorites for the NBA Championship, representing a substantial outcome for sportsbooks in the futures market. We hope to see the Pacers not lifting the Larry O’Brien Trophy,” said Christian Cipollini, Trading Manager at BetMGM.
Ovechkin Holds Title as Most Bet NHL Player
While the season has been electrifying for sports fans, BetMGM’s statistics reveal a gap between player performance and betting enthusiasm. Recently released data highlights the most bet teams and players in the NBA and NHL for the 2025 regular season.
On the NBA front, only one of the top five most-bet players reached the finals—Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who accounted for 1.55% of player prop tickets. Interestingly, no other players exceeded 1.5% ticket share or 1.3% handle share during the NBA conference finals.
The Los Angeles Lakers led the pack with a handle share of 6.19% and a ticket share of 5.84%, followed closely by the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Lakers Claim the Title of Most Bet NBA Team
Denver’s Nikola Jokic has emerged as the most bet NBA player, boasting 1.9% of all bets placed along with a handle share of 1.78%. Interestingly, Gilgeous-Alexander ranked fifth, with ticket and handle shares of 1.55% and 1.36%, respectively.
In contrast to the NBA, the Oilers were not as popular for betting compared to the Vegas Golden Knights, who topped NHL betting tickets (5.70%) and handle (5.97%). The Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs followed closely.
On the NFL side, Alex Ovechkin from the Washington Capitals gained momentum as the most bet NHL player, gathering 1.91% of tickets and a handle of 2.22%, while McDavid was ninth with 1.37% tickets and 1.64% handle. Ovechkin’s prominence in media due to breaking Wayne Gretzky’s all-time scoring record of 894 goals likely boosted his betting popularity.
Quick Facts:
- The NBA Finals featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. the Indiana Pacers, led by MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
- The NHL Finals features the Edmonton Oilers against the Florida Panthers for a rematch of last year’s thrilling contest.
- Most bet teams: LA Lakers and Vegas Golden Knights.
- Most bet players: Nikola Jokic (NBA) and Alex Ovechkin (NHL).
In summary, BetMGM’s announcement of the most bet NBA and NHL players and teams reflects a riveting sports season with heightened interest and betting activities. Canadian stars Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Connor McDavid are leading the charge, making the upcoming finals a must-watch for sports enthusiasts and bettors alike.
