AFC Wrexham kicked off their run in League Two this week as Entain revealed how betting patterns have changed as a result of the team’s success. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
To celebrate Wrexham’s appearance in the second tier of English football this week, global gaming giant Entain has released figures revealing the staggering impact the franchise’s popularity has had on betting trends. The Isle of Man-based Entain, which co-owns BetMGM with MGM International, took to Twitter with a link to the results dubbed the “Wrexham Effect:”
The ‘Wrexham Effect’ was born when actor Ryan Reynolds and Hollywood star Rob McElhenney took over Wrexham in 2020. However, it was the TV series ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ released in 2022 that transformed the humble Welsh club into an international brand And turning football betting on its head.
59% increase in bets on the 2021/22 National League
Thanks to Wrexham, UK sports brands Entain’s Ladbrokes and Coral have recorded a 59% rise in bets for the 2021/22 National League season compared to the 2017/18 season. What’s astounding about this statistic is that the English Championship, League One, and League Two only saw increases of 15%, 32%, and 24% respectively over the same time frame.
The impact of Welcome to Wrexham is evident across the pond as well, with Entain revealing a 3818% increase in Wrexham bets placed via BetMGM in the US from 2021 to 2023. Even lower, Entain Australia reported a 781% increase in the number of bets placed on the club. Welsh from 2020 to 2023.
Chief Commercial Officer Dominic Gruncel has attributed the popularity of Wrexham AFC to a “massive change in step” in the way fans want to engage with their favorite sports and teams.
