NFL betting could hit record US$30 billion in the 2025 season
The 2025 NFL season promises to be historic not only on the field, but also off it. According to an estimate by the American Gaming Association (AGA), fans are expected to wager around US$30 billion in legal sportsbooks in the United States during the 2025 NFL season. The figure represents an 8.5% increase compared to last year, when the total was around US$27.6 billion.
The AGA survey considers all types of bets linked to the NFL, from pre-season matches, the well-known futures markets (such as predictions made months in advance on who will be the champion), through to the playoffs and the Super Bowl LX, which takes place in February 2026, in California.
This movement has already been felt in recent major events. In the last Super Bowl alone, which brought together the Chiefs and the Eagles, betting reached US$1.39 billion, an increase of 11% compared to the previous year. For companies such as DraftKings and BetMGM, it was simply the largest betting volume in their histories.
The industry’s view
Bill Miller, president and CEO of the AGA, states that fans “have more ways than ever to enjoy responsibly the sport they love”. For him, the legalised market gives more security to the public and ensures that the fan experience is positive, regardless of the outcome of a game or bet.
Awareness campaigns, such as “Have a Game Plan. Bet Responsibly”, reinforce this idea. The message is: betting can be fun, but it is important to set limits and have a game plan so that the experience remains healthy.
Today, sports betting is legal in 38 US states, in addition to Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Missouri is expected to join this list in 2025, becoming the 39th regulated market. Even so, major states such as California and Texas remain absent. The absence of these states shows how much room there still is for the sector to grow. In total, 30 states already allow online betting through apps or websites, while others offer the modality only in casinos and physical locations.
Rapid growth
Since the Supreme Court struck down, in 2018, the law that prohibited sports betting in almost the entire country, the market has exploded. Major operators such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and bet365 have already become well-known brands among American sports fans.
But, along with the growth, concerns have also emerged. Authorities in some states have already warned about the risks of uncontrolled expansion, which can increase cases of addiction and harm to more vulnerable consumers. Additionally, there is criticism regarding the number of betting advertisements in sports broadcasts.
A recent study showed that, during NBA and NHL finals, betting-related advertisements appeared on average every 13 seconds. For many experts, this marketing bombardment needs to be reviewed, especially because younger audiences also consume these broadcasts.
On the one hand, sportsbook revenues soar, while on the other, authorities and sports entities seek to balance fun and protection.
The fact is that the NFL, the most popular sport in the United States, has also become one of the biggest showcases for the sports betting market. And 2025 will be another year to confirm this trend. The game does not take place only on the field, but also on the small screens of millions of fans across the country.
This article was first published in Portuguese on 1 September 2025.
