Record $16 billion expected to be bet on Super Bowl LVII

The popularity of sports betting in the United States is growing at record pace, sparked by the legalization of online and in-person wagering across the country.

An estimated 20% of American adults are expected to bet $16 billion on Super Bowl LVII between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, according to the American Gaming Association, which is more than double last year’s projections of bettors and expected wagering.

According to AGA research, 50.4 million people plan to bet on Sunday’s Big Game, which is a 61% increase from last year's estimate, with 30 million of them expected to place traditional wagers online, at retail sportsbooks or with a bookie. The AGA says that 28 million American adults plan to bet casually with friends or as part of a pool or “squares” contest.

“Every year, the Super Bowl serves to highlight the benefits of legal sports betting: bettors are transitioning to the protections of the regulated market, leagues and sports media are seeing increased engagement, and legal operators are driving needed tax revenue to states across the country,” AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said in the company’s Tuesday morning press release.

Sports betting is now legal in 36 states, as well as Washington, D.C. And it’s that legalization that has driven more than 34% of fans to agree that betting on games makes the NFL more exciting to watch, according to the AGA.

The AGA estimates that 38% of bettors will place online wagers for the Super Bowl, while 34% will bet casually with friends. About 18% will bet in person at a sportsbook and 13% will bet with a bookie.

Last year, the AGA estimated that $7.6 billion would be wagered on Super Bowl LVI between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals.

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