With the 2025 NFL season on the horizon, the American Gaming Association (AGA) forecasts that legal sports betting on the league will reach an unprecedented $30 billion nationwide. This projection represents a noteworthy 8.5% rise compared to last year’s adjusted figure of $27.6 billion.
The comprehensive estimate includes all wagers placed on NFL games, from preseason contests and early futures bets to the playoffs and Super Bowl LX in February 2026. This forecast relies on ongoing growth trends in national betting volume during 2025 combined with detailed football-specific wagering data from various states.
Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA, highlighted the enhanced opportunities for fans to interact responsibly with football through legalized betting. “This season, fans have more ways than ever to responsibly engage with the game they love. Legal sports betting enhances the fun and friendly competition that make NFL games and traditions even more special,” Miller explained.
He also stressed the importance of planning ahead, saying, “With strong consumer protections and a shared commitment to responsibility, the legal, regulated sports betting industry encourages all footballs fans to have a game plan before placing a bet and ensure their gameday experience – regardless of the outcome of a bet or the game – remains enjoyable.”
Encouraging Responsible Wagering Practices
At the heart of the AGA’s message for the season is its “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly.™” campaign. This initiative promotes a framework of five principles aimed at fostering safer betting habits:
- Set a Budget and Stick to It: Bet within limits and avoid chasing losses.
- Keep it Social: Treat betting as entertainment enjoyed with others.
- Know the Odds: Understand your bets and chances of winning.
- Play Legally: Use only regulated sportsbooks.
- Keep Your Cool: Show respect and maintain good sportsmanship, avoiding athlete harassment.
This campaign reflects the industry’s commitment to responsible gaming and protecting consumers as betting becomes an increasingly popular pastime.
The Rise of Legal Sports Betting Since PASPA
The expansion of legal sports wagering in the U.S. gained momentum after the Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. Since then, 38 states plus Washington, D.C., have established legal and regulated markets for sports betting.
Support for legal betting remains robust, with surveys indicating that 75% of Americans favor having legal sports wagering options in their home states. Additionally, 90% see sports betting as a legitimate form of entertainment, reflecting a cultural shift in attitudes toward gambling.
While the $30 billion figure pertains specifically to licensed sportsbooks, many Americans also participate in NFL betting via other venues such as daily fantasy sports, sweepstakes, and prediction markets. For example, Kalshi, a prominent prediction market, reports that $62.5 million in NFL-related bets have already been traded this year.
Source:
“AGA Estimates $30 Billion in Legal Wagering on 2025 NFL Season”, americangaming.org, August 28, 2025
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