NFL Betting Handle Set To Hit $30 Billion As Legal Market Surges
The 2025 NFL season has not kicked off yet, but Americans are already expected to wager a record-breaking $30billion through legal sportsbooks, according to fresh estimates from the American Gaming Association (AGA).
The projection marks an 8.5 per cent increase from last season’s revised handle of $27.5bn, underscoring the league’s unmatched dominance in US sports betting.
The AGA’s forecast includes every angle of football wagering – from preseason matchups and futures bets, to playoff games and Super Bowl LX in February.
NFL betting consistently drives the highest handle of any sport despite having far fewer games than basketball or baseball.
"This season, fans have more ways than ever to responsibly engage with the game they love," said AGA president and CEO Bill Miller.
"Legal sports betting enhances the fun and friendly competition that make NFL games and traditions even more special."
Betting Boom Across The States
Sports betting is currently legal across 38 states plus Washington, D.C.
Missouri is scheduled to launch its regulated market on December 1, raising the total to 39 jurisdictions.
Thirty-three of those allow online betting, which means fans nationwide can place wagers from kick-off to the Super Bowl.
But despite explosive growth in the regulated market, illegal sportsbooks still loom large. The AGA estimates that offshore operators and unregulated bookies accepted $84bn in wagers across all sports last year, generating $5bn in revenue.
While their share of the U.S. market has dropped to 24 per cent from 36 per cent in 2022, Miller warned that the fight against "bad actors" is far from over.
"These operators work in the shadows with zero consumer protections," he said.
"Combating them requires stronger enforcement and closer collaboration with our international partners."
Responsible Gaming In Focus
With legal betting booming, industry leaders are doubling down on responsible play.
The AGA continues to promote its “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.” campaign, which urges bettors to set budgets, understand the odds, stick to legal sportsbooks and treat wagering strictly as entertainment.
The message appears to be gaining traction.
AGA polling reveals that nearly 75 per cent of Americans support legalized betting in their state and 90 per cent of people now classify betting as an acceptable form of entertainment.
The National Council on Problem Gambling also recently reported that risky gambling behaviors have stabilized from a spike between 2018 and 2021.
The Season Ahead
The NFL's regular season kicks off on September 4, when the Dallas Cowboys face the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Early odds indicate Philadelphia are favored by 6.5, with an over/under of 46.5.
The futures market is also heating up. DraftKings lists the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens as early Super Bowl favorites at +600, followed by the Eagles (+750), Chiefs (+850) and Lions (+1200).
Other platforms outside traditional sportsbooks are seeing action as well.
Prediction market site Kalshi reports $62.5m has already been traded on NFL wagers this year, signaling broader enthusiasm across alternative betting spaces.
With a projected $30bn in legal wagers, an expanding state-by-state market, and robust safeguards in place, the 2025 season is shaping up to be the NFL’s biggest betting year yet.
