In a month packed with high-stakes drama, sportsbooks across the U.S. are reporting an unprecedented surge in Sports betting activity, shattering previous records as fans flock to wager on the Ohio State Buckeyes in college football and the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB playoffs. October’s betting handle has skyrocketed to over $12.5 billion nationwide, a 28% increase from last year, with the Buckeyes and Dodgers emerging as the undisputed favorites driving this boom.
This explosive growth highlights the growing mainstream appeal of Sports betting, legalized in more states and fueled by mobile apps that make placing wagers as easy as ordering takeout. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), the two teams alone accounted for nearly 15% of all October bets, underscoring their magnetic pull on bettors from coast to coast.
Buckeyes’ Unbeaten Streak Ignites College Football Betting Mania
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been the heartbeat of college football this October, and their perfect 7-0 record has translated into a frenzy of Sports betting action. Sportsbooks like DraftKings and FanDuel report that Ohio State has overtaken traditional powerhouses like Alabama and Georgia as the most-bet-on team, with over $1.2 billion in wagers placed on Buckeyes games alone. Bettors are drawn to the team’s explosive offense, led by quarterback Kyle McCord, who has thrown for over 2,100 yards and 20 touchdowns this season.
“Ohio State’s blend of star power and underdog narrative in the Big Ten has bettors hooked,” said Jamie Clark, senior odds manager at BetMGM. “We’ve seen a 40% uptick in college football bets compared to September, and the Buckeyes are at the epicenter.” Clark’s team adjusted the moneyline odds for Ohio State’s upcoming clash with Penn State from -150 to -200 after a flood of early action, reflecting the public’s confidence in a team that’s outscored opponents by an average of 28 points per game.
Behind the numbers, personal stories abound. In Columbus, Ohio, local fan groups have organized watch parties that double as betting pools, with one group reporting over $50,000 in collective wagers during the Michigan State upset. Nationally, the Buckeyes’ popularity spans demographics; data from Caesars Sportsbook shows 55% of bets coming from millennials aged 25-34, who favor prop bets on player performances like running back TreyVeon Henderson’s rushing yards.
This surge isn’t just about wins—it’s about the spectacle. The Buckeyes’ primetime showdowns on NBC and FOX have drawn record TV audiences, amplifying betting engagement. For instance, during their 42-17 rout of Maryland, live betting volume spiked 65% in the second half as odds shifted in real-time. As college football heads into rivalry week, experts predict Ohio State’s momentum could push total sports betting on the sport past $8 billion for the month.
Dodgers’ Playoff Dominance Sparks MLB Betting Bonanza
Across the diamond, the Los Angeles Dodgers have turned MLB’s postseason into a bettor’s paradise, with their star-studded lineup propelling them to the National League Championship Series. MLB sports betting has exploded, with the Dodgers receiving over $900 million in wagers since the wild card round began. Their 6-2 series win over the San Diego Padres saw betting handles reach $450 million in a single weekend, the highest for any MLB playoff series in history.
Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani have been the catalysts, with Ohtani’s dual-threat prowess—hitting .310 with five home runs in October—drawing prop bets that outpace even the World Series favorites. “The Dodgers’ resilience after a midseason slump has bettors believing in a repeat championship,” noted Sarah Jenkins, director of trading at PointsBet. “We’ve adjusted their World Series odds from +300 to +220 due to the sheer volume of action; fans are all-in on LA’s firepower.”
The Dodgers‘ appeal extends beyond California. In Las Vegas, where MLB betting is a staple, the team’s games accounted for 30% of October’s handle at Circa Sports. One standout bettor from Texas won $250,000 on a same-game parlay combining Ohtani’s home run and Freddie Freeman’s RBIs during Game 3 against the Padres. Such stories fuel social media buzz, with #DodgersBets trending on X (formerly Twitter) over 500,000 times this month.
Broader trends show sports betting on MLB evolving with technology. Live streaming integrations on apps like ESPN Bet allow in-play wagers, boosting engagement by 35%. For the Dodgers’ next series against the Mets, sportsbooks anticipate another record, with over/under totals on runs scored seeing heavy action as pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto face off against aces.
Sportsbooks Overwhelmed by Record-Breaking October Handles
The combined star power of Ohio State and the Dodgers has pushed sportsbooks to their limits, with industry-wide handles eclipsing $12.5 billion—a figure that includes $4.2 billion from college football and $3.8 billion from MLB. This marks the highest October total since the 2018 PASPA repeal, when sports betting legalization began sweeping the nation.
Key players like FanDuel reported a 32% revenue increase to $1.1 billion for the month, attributing 20% directly to bets on these teams. “October has been a perfect storm,” said Matt King, CEO of FanDuel Group. “The intersection of playoff intensity and mobile accessibility has driven unprecedented participation. We’ve seen new user sign-ups jump 25%, many citing the Buckeyes-Dodgers rivalry as their entry point.”
State-by-state breakdowns reveal hotspots: Ohio led with $1.8 billion in sports betting volume, thanks to the Buckeyes’ home-state fervor, while California—despite lacking legal sportsbooks—saw cross-border wagers on the Dodgers top $800 million via offshore apps. Nevada, the betting capital, handled $2.3 billion, with MLB playoffs contributing 40%.
- Top Betting Markets: Ohio State moneyline bets (45% of college action)
- Dodgers run line props (38% of MLB volume)
- Parlays combining both teams (rising 50% week-over-week)
Regulatory bodies are taking note; the NCAA has voiced concerns over college football betting integrity, prompting enhanced monitoring for Ohio State games. Meanwhile, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred praised the surge, stating in a press conference, “This level of engagement underscores baseball’s enduring excitement.”
Why Fans Are Betting Big on Buckeyes and Dodgers This Fall
What makes Ohio State and the Dodgers such betting magnets? For the Buckeyes, it’s a narrative of redemption after last year’s playoff heartbreak, with coach Ryan Day’s squad boasting a top-ranked defense that has held opponents to under 10 points per game. Bettors love the analytics: Ohio State’s +15.2 point spread average is the highest in college football, drawing sharp money from pros who see value in teasers.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, embody Hollywood glamour in MLB. Their $1.2 billion payroll and acquisitions like Ohtani have created a ‘superteam’ aura, appealing to casual bettors seeking glamour over grit. Social media influencers, with over 2 million Instagram posts tagging #BetOnDodgers, have amplified this, turning games into viral events.
Demographic shifts are evident too. Women now comprise 42% of sports betting users, per AGA data, many drawn to the Buckeyes’ charismatic players and the Dodgers’ inclusive fanbase. Economic factors play in: With inflation pinching wallets, low-stake bets starting at $1 offer accessible thrills, leading to a 15% rise in micro-wagers on these teams.
Challenges persist, including problem gambling concerns. Organizations like the National Council on Problem Gambling report a 12% increase in helpline calls during playoff seasons, urging sportsbooks to promote responsible betting tools like deposit limits.
November Looms: Playoffs and Rivalries Set to Amplify Betting Boom
As October fades, the stage is set for an even bigger sports betting explosion in November. For Ohio State, the gauntlet includes a marquee matchup against Michigan on November 25, where early lines have the Buckeyes as 7-point favorites—already generating $300 million in futures bets for a national championship run.
In MLB, the Dodgers‘ World Series aspirations could culminate in a clash with the Yankees, with sportsbooks projecting $5 billion in total playoff wagers. Innovations like AI-driven odds adjustments and VR viewing experiences are expected to sustain momentum, potentially pushing annual U.S. sports betting revenue past $150 billion by year’s end.
Analysts like those at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming forecast a 20% year-over-year growth, driven by expanding legalization in states like Texas and Florida. For fans, this means more opportunities—but also a reminder to bet smart. As the Buckeyes chase a Heisman for McCord and the Dodgers eye ring No. 8, one thing is clear: the wager wars are just heating up.
