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2022 Olympics Odds: Betting In Michigan On The Beijing Games
The Winter Olympics of 2022 have concluded.
Despite the pandemic, the 2020 Summer Olympics happened a few months back, while the Winter Olympics proceeded smoothly without any interruptions or postponements.
The 24th Olympic Winter Games took place in Beijing, China from February 4 to February 20.
Despite being held as planned, the games were not exempt from the influence of COVID-19 and boycotts. Attendance was limited to a select few spectators, with no fans permitted from other nations.
However, Michigan sports bettors were able to access Olympics odds and will be able to do so for upcoming Olympics as well.
Best apps for betting on Beijing Olympics in Michigan
Norway takes top honors
Norway had a fantastic performance in the 2022 Olympics.
Norwegians were at the forefront in terms of gold medals, securing the highest number of 16, as well as total medals won, amassing an impressive 37.
With a total of 25 medals, including eight gold medals, the United States had an impressive performance. Germany, on the other hand, stood out as the only other nation to achieve double-digit figures in gold medals, securing a remarkable 12.
2022 Olympics Odds: What Michigan Bettors Found?
There were numerous betting options offered for individual events at the start of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
If you are able to place regular bets on sports, it is highly likely that you can also place bets on sports during the Olympics. The 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics demonstrated that there are additional sports available for wagering that are not typically offered in Michigan.
Despite Michigan’s seemingly liberal approach to rules, operators have gradually expanded markets during July this summer, and they are expected to continue doing so as the Winter Olympics unfold.
There were a total of 109 events that occurred across 15 distinct disciplines in the Beijing Olympics. The sports featured in the Olympics included:
- Alpine Skiing
- Biathlon
- Bobsleigh
- Cross-Country Skiing
- Curling
- Figure Skating
- Freestyle Skiing
- Ice Hockey
- Luge
- Nordic Combined
- Short Track Speed Skating
- Skeleton
- Ski Jumping
- Snowboarding
- Speed Skating
Operators will continue to add more betting markets as the Games progress over the next two weeks.
BetRivers with best betting selection thus far
BetRivers Sportsbook has truly dedicated itself to the Olympics.
BetRivers offers a comprehensive selection of betting odds for both daily hockey and curling preliminaries. Additionally, it provides a futures market encompassing all 15 distinct disciplines.
Now that the BetRivers Sportsbook app is also accessible for iOS, it’s the perfect opportunity to get on board.
DraftKings providing a variety of odds
Not every event is included, but DraftKings Sportsbook offers an extended range of odds.
In addition to the Most Medals Market, DraftKings presently offers a wide range of speed skating and snowboarding markets, along with various other events.
DraftKings has established the over/under for the United States’ gold medal count in the Olympics at 8.5.
BetMGM offering by sport
In addition, BetMGM Sportsbook offers a diverse range of Olympic events for betting.
On the other hand, BetMGM has adopted a slightly distinct approach by organizing their odds according to the sport rather than having a dedicated section for the Olympics.
Therefore, Olympic hockey falls under the “hockey” category alongside NHL.
In total, BetMGM offers odds for a diverse range of 11 disciplines.
PointsBet expands its market options
With the Olympics in full swing, PointsBet Sportsbook has significantly broadened its range of betting markets.
In total, PointsBet offers a comprehensive range of 13 Olympics betting categories, encompassing distinct events and markets within each category.
PointsBet has placed particular importance on the hockey markets, catering to both men’s and women’s leagues. They offer odds for every preliminary game and also provide medal markets.
FanDuel offering odds in eight disciplines
In addition, FanDuel Sportsbook is expanding its range of betting options for the games.
At present, there is a selection of eight diverse disciplines available for betting, along with the inclusion of Most Medals markets.
Each day, FanDuel features its own betting tab for both men’s and women’s events.
Caesars adds Winter Sports markets
Under its “Winter Sports” category, Caesars Sportsbook is providing Olympic odds.
At this platform, you will discover various odds for both specific events and diverse disciplines. Additionally, it offers medal markets for your convenience.
Although it may be a bit cumbersome to have everything in one place, Caesars still offers a wide range of betting options.
COVID, diplomatic boycotts hinder games
In certain cases, the 2022 Winter Olympics will not showcase the finest talents from every country.
The COVID pandemic is significantly impacting men’s ice hockey, leading to changes in the NHL’s decision to not send active players to Beijing this time.
Initially, the league had planned to take an Olympic break, but due to numerous games being postponed throughout the season because of the pandemic, this option was no longer feasible. Consequently, the NHL has decided to utilize the scheduled Olympic break to reschedule those postponed games instead.
The limited rosters greatly impede the teams’ composition for countries such as the United States and Canada.
Although no country has declared an official boycott of the Olympic Games in Beijing, a few countries are diplomatically boycotting the event as a form of protest against human rights concerns in China.
The act of a diplomatic boycott entails the absence of government officials representing the nation at the games. Among the ten countries that have officially declared their participation in a diplomatic boycott are the United States and Canada.
Michigan connections at the Olympics
The Beijing Olympic Games will have five connections to the state of Michigan, providing some additional rooting interest.
- Matty Beniers from the University of Michigan is a player in the Men’s Hockey team.
- Brendan Brisson, a member of the University of Michigan, is a talented player on the men’s hockey team.
- Megan Keller from Farmington is a talented player in the field of Women’s Ice Hockey.
- Ryan Pivirotto from Ann Arbor is involved in the sport of Short Track Speed Skating.
- Abby Roque, representing Sault Ste. Marie, is a prominent figure in the world of women’s ice hockey.
Keller, a gold medalist at the 2018 games in PyeongChang, will be joining forces with Roque, a forward who will be making her Olympic debut in Beijing, for the women’s hockey team.
Pivirotto is set to compete in his second Olympics, having secured a spot on the 2018 team by placing fifth at the U.S. team trials.
Beniers and Brisson, who both served as centers for the University of Michigan, have joined the restructured men’s hockey team. Brisson, the 29th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, was chosen by the Vegas Golden Knights. On the other hand, Beniers, selected second overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, was picked by the Seattle Kraken.
Michigan Gaming Control Board gave operators leeway
For a considerable time, the Olympics have been included in Michigan’s Sports Wagering Catalog.
Nevertheless, there was a period when only team sports could be bet on, but the Michigan Gaming Control Board committee expanded the options to include individual sports for the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
This past summer, Mary Kay Bean, spokesperson for MGCB, informed Playinmichigan that any wager on an Olympic event, whether it be a team or individual event, that fulfills the criteria stated in the guidelines, can be accepted by an operator or platform provider.
Some important guidelines to note are that any negative outcome propositions are strictly prohibited, while in-game wagering is allowed.
Athletes under the age of 18 are often included in Olympic events. As per the MGCB, betting on any event involving high school-level athletes or younger is not allowed, unless the majority of participants in the event are 18 years or above.
Bean has verified that it is possible to place bets on judged sports like figure skating.
Tokyo Games break the ice for sports betting and the Olympics
In Michigan, the Tokyo Summer Olympics became the inaugural Olympic Games where sports betting was officially permitted.
Bettors in Michigan had the opportunity to place wagers on a wide range of sports, including basketball, weightlifting, and karate.
As the Winter Olympics continue, more betting promotions are likely to surface, with sportsbooks also joining in on the occasion to offer a diverse range of opportunities for Michigan residents.
Note from the editor: As the Games progress, we will keep updating this page with the most recent information.