Americans are expected to place a record $1.76 billion in legal wagers on Super Bowl LX, according to projections from the American Gaming Association (AGA). The figure reflects the continued expansion of state- and tribal-regulated sports betting across the United States.
“No single event brings fans together like the Super Bowl, and this record figure shows just how much Americans enjoy sports betting as part of the experience,” said Bill Miller, AGA President and CEO. “By choosing legal, regulated sportsbooks, fans are having fun while supporting a safe and responsible market.”
Legal Wagering Trends And State Expansion
The AGA’s projection represents a significant increase from last year’s forecast of $1.39 billion for Super Bowl LIX and surpasses prior research estimating $1.25 billion in legal bets on Super Bowl LVIII. The Sports Betting Alliance offers a slightly more conservative estimate of $1.71 billion.
Since last year, only Missouri has added legal sports betting, bringing the total number of states with regulated sportsbooks to 39. Legal wagering is also available in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Despite rising estimates, no comprehensive, post-event accounting exists, as states are not federally required to report handle figures to a central authority. Historical comparisons rely on estimates rather than reconciled data, yet consumer participation in regulated channels continues to grow.
Confusion Around Prediction Markets
Alongside Super Bowl forecasts, the AGA released findings on consumer understanding of sports event contracts offered through prediction market platforms. The study found widespread confusion regarding regulatory oversight. 78% of sports event contract users believe state regulators could help resolve disputes on these platforms, even though they operate outside state sports betting frameworks.
The research also highlighted differences in how participants perceive these activities. Sports event contract users were three times more likely to describe their activity as investment-related—28% compared with 9% of sportsbook bettors. Nearly one-third of prediction market participants reported encountering messages framing their activity as trading or investing, compared with just 7% of sportsbook users. Funding patterns also varied, with 25% using investment budgets versus 9% of sportsbook bettors.
Despite these differences, most users still acknowledge the gambling nature of the activity. 58% of sports event contract participants described their actions as gambling, suggesting some awareness of underlying risk even when platforms emphasize investment-style messaging.
Access to responsible gaming tools also differed significantly. Only 28% of sports event contract users found safeguards easily accessible, compared with 58% of sportsbook users.
“This research reinforces why state- and tribal-regulated sportsbooks are critical, offering strong oversight and consumer protections that prediction markets simply do not match,” added Miller.
The AGA’s forecast underscores the ongoing growth of regulated sports betting, while the study highlights the importance of clear communication and accessible tools to protect consumers in emerging wagering formats.
Source:
“Americans to Legally Wager Estimated $1.76 Billion on Super Bowl LX”, americangaming.org, January 30, 2026
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