In a historic season for women's college basketball, the national championship game drew unprecedented attention from sports bettors, with multiple sportsbooks reporting record-breaking levels of betting activity.

The Red Rock Las Vegas race and sportsbook director, Chuck Esposito, revealed that not only did the game surpass handle records, but it also generated a significant number of betting tickets. Such was the interest in the match that it was displayed on the main screen with audio at Red Rock, highlighting the immense public engagement.

BetMGM vice president of trading, Craig Mucklow, stated that this game attracted double the amount of money wagered compared to the previous record set during Friday's national semifinals when Iowa defeated UConn 71-69. This indicates the growing enthusiasm and financial investment in women's college basketball.

Jay Kornegay, Westgate executive vice president of race and sports operations, noted that South Carolina's 87-75 victory over Iowa, which secured their perfect season, nearly doubled the betting activity seen during the Hawkeyes' Elite Eight victory over LSU. Kornegay also added that if the game had been played in primetime, the betting figures would have been even higher.

Anticipation ran high for this highly anticipated matchup between South Carolina, led by coach Dawn Staley, seeking their third title, and Iowa, led by two-time AP Player of the Year Caitlin Clark. Clark's remarkable ability to score 3-pointers from all over the court made her a focal point for both bettors and TV viewers, resulting in record-breaking viewership numbers for women's college basketball.

This game marked Caitlin Clark's final appearance for Iowa, as she is expected to be the top pick in the upcoming WNBA draft by the Indiana Fever. Her presence on the court undoubtedly added to the excitement surrounding the game and further fueled the interest among sports bettors.

As the popularity and visibility of women's college basketball continue to rise, the exceptional betting activity witnessed during this championship game underscores the significant growth and potential of the sport. The record-breaking figures suggest that women's basketball is capturing the attention of the betting public like never before, paving the way for a promising future for the sport.