The WNBA has been a whirlwind of on- and off-court narratives in recent weeks, from Sophie Cunningham’s controversial Flagrant 2 foul from DiJonai Carrington to the ongoing transgender debate within the league.

Amidst all the noise, some exciting playoff match-ups are emerging as the regular season draws to a close.

Despite all the controversy, WNBA betting handle has remained steady according to Christian Cipollini, senior trading manager at BetMGM.

The top game on the schedule features the Minnesota Lynx facing off against the Las Vegas Aces, with the Lynx aiming to secure the top seed in the league.

Teams like Golden State, Atlanta, Indiana, New York, and Dallas are all in the playoff race, with standout players like Caitlin Clark making a mark on the court.

The playoff race is fueling increased betting activity on the WNBA as the season heads towards the playoffs.

According to David Lieberman, pro basketball lead at Caesars Sportsbook, WNBA handle is up about 10% year over year. Indiana Fever games tend to attract more betting handle than most teams.

Despite off-court controversies, there hasn’t been a noticeable impact on betting activity. The WNBA is seeing increased interest from individual bettors each year.

BetMGM reports significant line movements in futures betting, with teams like the Lynx, Aces, Golden State Valkyries, and Atlanta Dream seeing the most movement.

The WNBA MVP futures market has also seen notable shifts, with players like A’ja Wilson, Olivia Miles, Caitlin Clark, and Paige Bueckers experiencing changes in their odds.

Since joining the league in 2024, Caitlin Clark has had a major impact on betting handle, with increases in the past few years. Despite the league becoming less dependent on Clark, overall handle is on the rise compared to previous years.

Overall, as viewer numbers increase, there tends to be a corresponding rise in betting handle for the WNBA.