Are you betting on some football?
Probably, according to a newly released NFL wagering projection from the American Gaming Association.
In its first-ever pre-season estimate, the gambling industry trade group predicts that Americans will make $35 billion in NFL bets through legal sportsbooks in a season that begins on Thursday with the Baltimore Ravens at the Kansas City Chiefs. The AGA estimated that $26.7 billion was wagered legally in the 2023-24 NFL season.
The league’s status as the most popular wagering market in the United States and the additions of three new sports betting states since last season – among them North Carolina, with a population of almost 11 million, and an NFL franchise based in Charlotte – figure to be good for business. Although the AGA estimate takes into consideration state reporting data, neither projection is completely verifiable because of the incongruent wagering data released by states. Also, figures from tribal gaming companies are not required to be released, meaning that the football-mad Florida market containing three NFL teams doesn’t factor into tabulations.
NFL Adjusts Rules to Keep Gambling Profitable
Betting and the NFL are fully entwined just six years after the fall of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act allowed states to legalize sports betting.
A study released by Optimove found that 54% of those surveyed said that betting greatly enhanced their NFL viewing experience. This buttressed an industry maxim that bettors are highly likely to also be viewers.
As it continues to benefit from the interest sports wagering generates for its product, the NFL announced new measures earlier this summer to firewall players and team personnel from potential gambling scandals. Chief among them are tweaks to the NFL’s gambling rules requiring all players to undertake in-person gambling education seminars.
Franchises Adding Gambling Partners As Season Approaches
Meanwhile, teams continue to enter into commercial relationships with gambling companies. The Detroit Lions on Wednesday announced a partnership making Caesars Entertainment an official sports betting and iGaming partner.
About the Author
