Mater Dei (CA) tops the 2024 high school football rankings into playoffs and HS championships. (Gina … [+]
Football in December means high school playoffs and championship games. Along with Pop Warner National Championships. Beyond the College Football Playoff or America’s Game and the pageantry and patriotism fans salute during this weekend’s Army-Navy game, betting on football is most popular during the biggest watch and wager events.
Good or bad, that now includes youth sports.
Like the Special Olympics story that went viral, some people are going to say it’s wrong to bet on High School and Pee Wee football because it’s kids. Others may argue why it is okay because it brings attention and legitimacy to the events with more eyeballs on the games and leagues.
While sports betting is fueling more interest in the games for fans in 39 states, football fans in the three most populous states, California, Texas and Florida are not able to bet at U.S. sportsbooks. The next most populous state, New York, is setting wagering records.
BetOnline is offering something the U.S. Sportsbooks can’t.
High School Football Odds
Football odds from BetOnline refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting if offered. All times Eastern and betting favorites (-) listed. Bet tyes and terms with listed point spread on favorite.
Fri, Dec. 13
- Jones (FL) at American Heritage (FL) -11.5
- Lincoln (CA) at Pittsburg (CA) -6.5
- Lake Mary (FL) vs. Venice (FL) -6.5
Sat., Dec. 14
- Westlake (TX) vs. North Shore (TX) -14.5
- North Crowley (TX) vs. Duncanville (TX) -14.5
- De La Salle (CA) vs. Mater Dei (CA) -35.5
High school football rankings from MaxPreps with powerhouse programs Mater Dei from Santa Ana, CA No. 1 in the country, Duncanville (TX) is No. 3 and Bishop Gorman in Las Vegas, NV No. 5. Two Georgia HS teams are No. 2 and 4 – Milton and Carrollton. Betting lines have been offered in recent weeks, and state championship playoff games are underway.
Pop Warner
The Pop Warner Super Bowl is made up of 88 football teams from across the country that earn a spot in the nationals, where they compete in either Division I and Division II in six different age or age-weight brackets. Odds provided for Division 1, and games held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL.
Fri., Dec. 13
- St. James Royals (NJ) vs. Coyote Creek Wildcats (CA) -7
Sat., Dec. 14
2024 Pop Warner National Championship – Division 1 (9U)
- Santa Margarita Cowboys (CA) vs. Odell Eagles (NC) -10.5
2024 Pop Warner National Championship – Division 1 (10U)
- Portsmouth Bruins (VA) vs. Richmond Heights Fastbreak (OH) -2.5
2024 Pop Warner National Championship – Division 1 (11U)
- N.E.O Flight (OH) vs. Fort Myers Jr. Firecats (FL) -6
2024 Pop Warner National Championship – Division 1 (12U)
- Hartford Hurricanes (CT) vs. Westchase Colts (FL) -2.5
2024 Pop Warner National Championship – Division 1 (13U)
- Oceanside Warriors (CA) vs. Westchase Colts (FL) -14
2024 Pop Warner National Championship – Division 1 (14U)
- St. James Royals (NJ) vs. Coyote Creek Wildcats (CA) -7
I corresponded with BetOnline and brand marketing manager Dave Mason to ask some questions about wagering on high school football and younger athletes.
Q: Regulated sportsbooks find gambling on minors immoral in some respects, but you guys don’t. What’s BetOnline’s argument for this being a legal and approved thing to bet on?
A: We can’t speak for other operators and their offerings, but BetOnline.ag is globally respected for offering odds on just about anything. We offer odds on pro wrestling, which are predetermined events. Where there are two or more competing in a sanctioned event, we’re going to have a market to bet on that event.
I will point to the Olympics as an example, which witnessed widespread wagering this year. There were 12- and 13-year-olds competing in the Summer Games and people could wager on those events. Same goes for professional soccer leagues on a global level. Allowing people to wager on youth football only puts more eyeballs on these leagues, teams and their incredibly talented athletes.
Q: How has the handle/interest been so far for high school football?
A: The interest 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. 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.
Betting on Young Athletes – Good or Bad?
Gambling has become a mainstream activity in the United States. From online and mobile apps to sportsbooks, stadiums and casinos, fans across the U.S. can easily place bets on sporting events. There are seemingly infinite options to place wagers on events, and the industry continues to mature and the betting menus are expanding and growing.
Last year, a new market opened up with betting on the Special Olympics. Betting options were offered by BetOnline.ag, which is an unregulated sportsbook in the U.S, and the brand behind the bold move to offer the first-ever Special Olympics odds. Operating globally in the online gaming sector for more than 25 years, BetOnline is known for setting the industry bar when it comes to creativity and innovation.
Interest on the watch and wager events was tremendous. Betting limits were reduced significantly and grading of the Special Olympics and betting markets was more challenging than BetOnline expected. But fans were interested in wagering on the events, despite Special Olympics participants age ranges of 8-11, 12-15, 16-21, 22-29, and 30+ for individual sports, and 8-15, 16-21, and 22+ for team sports.
BetOnline offered Little League World Series odds this summer, and the interest was again a big hit.
Now BetOnline is offering high school football odds and wagering on Pop Warner as well while opening doors to games that might otherwise be overlooked.
You can bet on it.
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