Sportsbooks often pause accepting wagers when significant, odds-altering bets are placed on certain games. While there’s no standard duration for these halts, recent trends indicate that suspensions on college football games tend to last longer than those on NFL matchups.
Bettormetrics, a leading odds data and intelligence provider, recently analyzed betting halt times during Week 8 of the college football season and Week 9 of the NFL. The study revealed that sportsbooks take longer to adjust odds for college games than for NFL contests when heavy bets hit the market.
Top Sportsbooks Evaluated for Halt Times
Bettormetrics’ analysis covered major domestic sportsbooks, including Bet365, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings, ESPN Bet, Fanatics, FanDuel, and Hard Rock. Data from the study showed that DraftKings and FanDuel led the pack in minimizing halt times for NFL games. For college games, FanDuel performed best, with DraftKings close behind. Across the board, college football suspensions lasted 8.7% longer than those for NFL games.
Reducing Halt Times: A Win-Win for Sportsbooks
“Operators who optimize suspension times for college games stand to gain significantly,” said Sabin Brooks, Chief Revenue Officer at Bettormetrics. “Shorter pauses improve the bettor’s experience, encouraging repeat engagement, while also increasing handle and overall profitability.”
Why NFL Betting Halts Are Shorter
Bettormetrics didn’t explicitly address the reasons behind shorter suspension times for NFL games, but the factors are clear. The NFL market is highly liquid, requiring substantial betting activity to trigger odds adjustments. Additionally, there are no “obscure” NFL teams, whereas college football includes many lesser-known teams with limited betting action.
For instance, a suspension on an SEC game would likely resolve faster than one on a Sun Belt Conference matchup, where lower market liquidity extends pause times.
The Bottom Line
Streamlining halt times, particularly in college football, is critical for sportsbooks aiming to boost profits and retain bettors. As competition intensifies, operators who excel in this area will secure a decisive edge in the market.
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