An all-time high 46.6 million American adults, or 18 per cent of the population, plan to place a wager on the NFL during the current season, according to American Gaming Association research.
This would be up three per cent from the 45.2 million report prior to the past season, which will see the Los Angeles Rams, who triumphed in the Super Bowl showpiece earlier this year, kick off the campaign at home to the Buffalo Bills.
AGA research also shows that 23 million individuals will place a bet online during the season, which is up 18 per cent and 104 per cent from 2021 and 2020, respectively, while 10.6 million, an increase of two and 61 per cent, will wager at a casino.
However, only 13 per cent of NFL bettors intend to use a bookie, which is down from 2021 (15 per cent) and 2020 (18 per cent). Bookie usage is 50 per cent higher in states without legalised sports betting.
The Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (nine per cent) are the most popular picks to win Super Bowl LVII, followed by the Los Angeles Rams and Kansas City Chiefs (eight per cent), Dallas Cowboys (seven per cent).
Furthermore, the Super Bowl will also be played in a legal sports betting jurisdiction, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium, for the first time.
“The sustained interest in NFL wagering reflects the growth and continued maturation of legal sports betting across the country,” state Bill Miller, AGA President and CEO.
“Consumers clearly want legal sports betting options and understand the regulated industry’s foundational commitments to responsibility.”
The AGA also noted that, since the commencement of the league coincides with responsible gaming education month, nine in ten (92 per cent) US punters report awareness of responsible gaming tools.
Moreover, the majority of bettors through the past year are said to believe that responsible gaming programs are very or somewhat effective (82 per cent) and that the industry is committed to combating problem gambling (81 per cent).
“Responsibility is an underpinning of regulated US sports betting and a clear competitive advantage as we continue to build a sustainable marketplace,” Miller added.
Currently, more than half (132 million) of American adults can legally wager in their home state, 18 million more than this time last year. Through the past year, nine in 10 (89 per cent) of those participating in the activity said that it is very or somewhat important that they bet with a legal, regulated sportsbook.
