Football Betting Expands to High School, Peewee Levels
As bettors have been waiting for the college bowl season to kick off this weekend, some have turned their attention to less mainstream avenues of football wagering.
High school football is as important as the collegiate ranks in some cities and states, and high school playoffs have been ongoing for the past month.
BetOnline.ag has been offering high school lines for marquee matchups involving nationally-ranked teams weekly since No. 1 Mater Dei and then-No. 2 St. John Bosco squared off during the California CIF Southern Section Division 1 regular season on October 25.
This week, BetOnline has six high school championship game lines on the board involving Texas, California and Florida programs.
And, now, the sportsbook that sets odds on just about anything under the sun has gone one step further...Pop Warner.
The Pop Warner Division I National Championship games are being played Saturday, December 14, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, and there are spreads for the six "Pop Warner Super Bowl" matchups.
"The interest [for HS football] has been very strong. I have people hitting me up on Twitter asking for matchups we may not be offering, and then coming back the next week asking when the new lines are going to be posted," BetOnline Brand Manager Dave Mason told Forbes. "We're not doing college or NFL type of handle on these games, but some of them have generated as much betting action as a weekday EPL or La Liga match.
“Limits are low so it’s not as if people can bet thousands of dollars on these games. More like hundreds.”
Forbes penned an article on this topic, breaking down the potential pros and cons...
HIGH SCHOOL
Friday, Dec. 13
- Jones (FL) vs. American Heritage (FL) -13
- Lincoln (CA) vs. Pittsburg (CA) -7.5
- Lake Mary (FL) vs. Venice (FL) -6.5
Saturday, Dec. 14
- Westlake (TX) vs. North Shore (TX) -17.5
- North Crowley (TX) vs. Duncanville (TX) -14
- De La Salle (CA) vs. Mater Dei (CA) -35.5
POP WARNER - 2024 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday, Dec. 14
Division 1 (9U)
Santa Margarita Cowboys (CA) vs. Odell Eagles (NC) -10.5
Division 1 (10U)
Portsmouth Bruins (VA) vs. Richmond Heights Fastbreak (OH) -2.5
Division 1 (11U)
N.E.O Flight (OH) vs. Fort Myers Jr. Firecats (FL) -6
Division 1 (12U)
Hartford Hurricanes (CT) vs. Westchase Colts (FL) -3.5
Division 1 (13U)
Oceanside Warriors (CA) vs. Westchase Colts (FL) -14
Division 1 (14U)
St. James Royals (NJ) vs. Coyote Creek Wildcats (CA) -7