Caesars Reports Record Soccer Betting Handle as USA Advances to World Cup Round of 16

The USMNT’s 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina generated the biggest soccer betting night in Caesars Sportsbook history, and oddsmakers across the industry say Monday’s Round of 16 showdown with Belgium is set to top it. Sportsbooks reported heavy early action on the matchup as the United States continues its deepest World Cup run in decades.

“It generated our highest soccer handle ever, the most wagers placed on a soccer event in our book’s history, and the highest number of unique customers wagering,” said Mark Bickerdike, Caesars’ Head of Soccer Trading. “That’s obviously very encouraging, and we hope to see that momentum continue into the Round of 16 matchup.”

Bettors Keep Piling Onto the Americans

The US has drawn overwhelming public support since opening group-stage play on June 12, and that trend held against Bosnia, where the Americans entered as nearly a 3-to-1 favorite. “The USA looked convincing throughout and were good value for their victory,” Bickerdike said. “As we’ve become accustomed to, the USMNT was extremely popular with our bettors, attracting 91% of handle in the match betting market. In addition, 87% of handle was on Mauricio Pochettino’s men in the ‘to qualify’ market, so it’s fair to say we have plenty of happy bettors this evening.”

From a risk-management standpoint, the book caught a break elsewhere on the card. “It helped to have Christian Pulisic’s goal ruled out from a results standpoint, as he was heavily backed in the anytime goalscorer market. We also avoided a significant payout in the total goals market, with the match finishing with just two goals,” Bickerdike said. The win came despite a second-half red card to Folarin Balogun, who was initially expected to miss the Belgium match under FIFA suspension rules before a since-reported reprieve.

Other Books Bracing for a Bigger Night

Industry-wide, oddsmakers expect the Belgium match to eclipse the Bosnia numbers given the primetime slot and knockout stakes. “The USA advancing is not a good immediate result,” said John Murray, Vice President of the SuperBook. “But it sets up a fantastic Monday night match in primetime. USA vs. Belgium is gonna be huge. Action certainly spiked with tonight’s game. It was the most-bet game, and I don’t know why Monday wouldn’t be bigger.”

BetMGM trading manager Adair Horne echoed that sentiment. “I’m fairly confident the next game will be one of our biggest liabilities of the tournament, and the most-bet-game,” Horne said.

Odds Movement Reflects Growing Belief

Following the Bosnia win, Caesars shortened US odds to win the World Cup from +3,000 to +2,500. The Americans have moved steadily throughout the tournament, opening at +5,000 before improving to +4,000 after beating Paraguay 4-1, then +3,000 following a win over Australia, holding at +3,000 despite a loss to Turkiye, and now sitting as the seventh choice to lift the trophy. For the Belgium match, Caesars had the US as a slight -122 favorite to advance to the quarterfinals, while BetMGM opened its three-way moneyline with the Americans as favorites as well.