Potentially record-breaking Super Bowl
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has estimated that a record 31.4 million Americans will place a bet on Super Bowl LVI. This would be a 35% year-on-year rise for the big game taking place on Sunday between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Super Bowl is being held at the Rams’ SoFi Stadium, the second year in a row in which one of the Super Bowl teams is playing in their home venue.
a 78% increase from last year’s figures
With the record number of bets, the AGA believes that as much as $7.6bn will be wagered on the championship game. This would be a 78% increase from last year’s figures. The AGA has broken down the ways in which it believes that Americans will place their bets. It estimates that 18.2 million people will place a bet through a traditional online or retail sportsbook or with a bookie and that 18.5 million people will make a casual bet with friends or take part in a squares or pool contest.
According to the latest research, 76% of people stated that it is important to them to place their bets in a legal manner. In terms of which team people believe will win the Super Bowl, 55% went for the Rams and 45% for the Bengals.
Interesting trends
Speaking about the Super Bowl estimates was AGA CEO and president Bill Miller. He stated that Americans have never had more interest in placing legal sports bets. Miller said: “The growth of legal options across the country not only protects fans and the integrity of games and bets, but also puts illegal operators on notice that their time is limited.”
106 million people (41%) recalled seeing ads related to responsible gambling
There were some other interesting findings coming from the AGA’s research. 106 million people (41%) recalled seeing ads related to responsible gambling over the past year, up from 32 million people in the previous period. The AGA believes that this increase is because of the continuing commitment from the sports betting industry to invest in responsible gambling-related measures.
To help stakeholders better promote responsible gambling, the AGA started its “Have A Game Plan – Bet Responsibly” campaign, partnering with NFL teams like the New York Jets and the Washington Commanders.
Reasons behind the big increase
The big increase in the number of bets that are expected to be placed on this year’s Super Bowl is largely because more states have legalized betting and launched regulated markets over the past year.
30 states and Washington, D.C. currently have sportsbooks
Currently, 30 states and Washington, D.C. have sportsbooks up and running. Three more states are in the process of getting ready to launch their own markets. In comparison to last year, 45 million more Americans are now able to place legal sports bets in their home state.
Those states that have launched legal betting markets over the past year are Wyoming, Wisconsin, Washington, South Dakota, North Dakota, North Carolina, Maryland, Louisiana, Connecticut, and Arizona. New York also launched online sports betting and looks set to be one of the country’s biggest betting markets.