The AGA estimates that 46 million Americans wagered on NFL games last year.
According to the group, 19% of American adults, up 56% from the previous year, indicated they want to wager online, at a casino, or with a bookmaker this year. Of all adults in the United States, 35.1 million, or 14%, want to wager online, while 13.6 million, or 5%, intend to wager at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
This season, more bets than ever are anticipated among self-described NFL fans, with 37% predicted to put a wager. Compared to last year, that is a 42% increase.
With the opening NFL game of the season taking place on Thursday, sportsbooks are expecting a boost.
In an email to CNBC, Seamus Magee, the trading team lead at BetMGM, stated, “We expect this to be the most bet NFL season in BetMGM’s history.”
NFL gets cozy with gaming
The NFL used to be adamantly opposed to sports betting. However, the league rethought its position after the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize sports betting in 2018.
Washington, D.C. and 34 states now allow sports betting. It is legal but not yet operational in four other states.
Due to the expansion of legal gambling and Americans’ ability to bet using their phones, prominent players such as DraftKings, FanDuel, Caesars, and BetMGM have seen an influx of new customers. There is no lack of business partners for leagues despite the fact that the market has become saturated for firms, especially with ESPN’s debut.
To become the official sportsbook partners of the league, the NFL inked five-year contracts for an estimated $1 billion with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Caesars in 2021.
