Legal NFL Betting Could Surge to $35BN This Season, AGA Predicts

The 2024 National Football League (NFL) season is set to kick off on Thursday, September 5. Compared to last year, more states have launched legal sports betting and an estimate from the American Gaming Association (AGA) predicts that American adults may wager $35 billion throughout the new NFL season.

The latest report marks the Association’s first-ever legal handle estimate for an NFL season. Analyzing past data, the AGA confirmed that in 2023, the bets on the NFL season hit $26.7 billion. While that’s a mind-blowing figure, further growth is projected, considering the new $35 billion estimate.

The Association explained that since the last NFL season, sports betting arrived in markets such as North Carolina, Maine and Vermont. “Driven by the continued expansion and maturation of the legal sports betting industry across the US, 2024 is expected to be the most legally wagered-on season in the NFL’s seven seasons with legal wagering,” explained the AGA in a statement.

Bill Miller, the Association’s CEO and president, outlined the excitement the new NFL season brings. He spoke about the millions of Americans who are confident to place wagers with licensed bookmakers who provide responsible entertainment and dedicate resources to customer protection.

Finally, Miller explained: “As the season unfolds, the AGA and our members remain dedicated to working with leagues, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure fans have the knowledge and tools to keep sports betting a safe, fun part of the gameday experience.”

“With the excitement of another NFL season upon us, Americans are placing their bets with the confidence that the legal sports betting market is prioritizing consumer protection and responsibility.“

Bill Miller, president and CEO of AGA

Americans Acknowledge the Betting Industry’s Dedication to Responsible Gaming

Besides the growth of the betting vertical across the country, the Association pointed to recent data that reaffirmed the support of Americans for the regulated sector. Notably, 75% of American adults showed support for the licensed betting sector in their home state, a figure that marked an increase when compared to last year’s result of 73%.

A majority of 85% of the bettors acknowledge the effectiveness of different responsible gambling programs. This figure too marked an increase in comparison to the 83% result from 2023.

An overwhelming majority of the American bettors pointed to the betting industry’s dedication toward responsible gaming and preventing gambling harm with 88% agreeing with that statement. Last but not least, 90% of the bettors admitted that it is important for them to place wagers with licensed sportsbooks.