A record 31.4 million American adults plan to place bets on Super Bowl LVI, up 35% from 2021.
According to research conducted by the American Gaming Association (AGA), fans will bet about $7.61 billion on the NFL playoffs, up $3.33 billion (78%) from last year.
Of those planning to place a Super Bowl bet, 18.2 million people will place traditional sports bets online at a bookmaker, while 18.5 million Americans plan to bet casually with friends or as part of a contest.
Traditional punters experienced a 78% increase, while casual gamblers were up 23%. Additionally, 76% said it was important for them to bet with a legal operator, up 11% from last year.
And, it appears punters have more faith in the Los Angeles Rams to take home the trophy on Sunday – although only 55% plan to bet on the Rams, compared to 45% for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Interest in sports betting grows more and more
“The results are clear: Americans have never been more interested in betting on legal sports,” said Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA.
“The growth of legal options across the country not only protects fans and the integrity of games and betting, but also makes illegal operators aware that their time is limited.”
About 30 states plus Washington DC currently host legal live sports betting markets, with three more awaiting launch, and compared to last year, 45 million more Americans can bet in their home states.
Since Super Bowl LV, Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming have all launched legal sports betting markets.
