A year ago, about 67.8 million American adults bet on Super Bowl LVIII, a matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco Forty-Niners, according to the American Gaming Association.
Bettors in 2024 wagered an estimated $23 billion, which was up from $16 billion the previous year. Estimates for 2025 were not posted by the association as of Feb. 3.
In the news release a year ago, 42.7 million American adults planned to place a traditional sports wager online, at a retail sportsbook or with a bookie, up 41% from 2023. Also, 36.5 million planned to bet casually with friends or as part of a pool or squares contest, up 32% from 2023.
Importantly, Americans continued to migrate to the legal market: 28.7 million adults, or 11%, intended to place online wagers using a legal U.S. sportsbook.
Most bets deal with not only selecting a winner, but also selecting the points spread. As of Feb. 3, the Chiefs are 1.5-point favorites over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Other appeals
I often wonder what the betting odds are on the number of times I’ll see Taylor Swift being shown on TV. From an agricultural standpoint, I’m wondering if more money will come in on barbecue or Philly steak sandwiches. Will wings be a spoiler?
With the big party in New Orleans, will jambalaya be the dark-horse food to bet on?
I don’t condone bets unless they are responsible, and any wager should never take the place of money needed to feed and clothe a family. Gambling addictions are very real and can devastate families.
Background
- 38 states and Washington, D.C. currently feature live, legal sports betting markets.
- More than two-thirds of American adults (67%, 164 million) live in a live, legal sports betting market.
- AGA’s Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly. campaign is bringing sports betting stakeholders together to promote responsible gaming. NFL team partners include the Washington Commanders and New York Jets.
Dave Bergmeier can be reached at 620-227-1822 or dbergmeier@hpj.com.
