AGA Predicts Record NFL Betting
A recent report released by the American Gaming Association (AGA) presents the group’s latest research on betting behavior in the United States. Its findings indicate that a record 45.2 million Americans plan to wager on the upcoming National Football League (NFL) season. This stands as a 36% increase when compared to last year’s NFL season.
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released figures indicating that 45.2 million Americans plans to place sports wagers on the upcoming NFL season. ©janrye/Pixabay
Proliferation of Sports Betting Across US is a Big Factor
The American Gaming Association’s (AGA) most recently published research indicates that a staggering 45.2 million Americans plan to place bets on the upcoming National Football League (NFL) season — a new record.
These statistics stand as a 36% increase when compared to last year’s NFL season. A large contributing factor here was certainly the increased availability of sports betting across the United States now.
As of writing, 26 states, along with Washington D.C., offer legal sports betting, while a further five states plan to join the fray towards the end of the NFL season. Last season, only 18 states plus Washington D.C. were running sports betting services. Diverse states in opposite ends of the nation such as Arizona, Washington and Wyoming all managed to legalize sports betting so far this year.
Sports Betting More Popular Than Ever, says AGA
President and CEO of the American Gaming Association (AGA), Bill Miller, cited the widespread popularity of sports betting in the United States as a core reason why the upcoming NFL season can expect such significant growth: “Sports betting is more popular than ever among Americans, and the enthusiasm of bettors for the upcoming NFL season highlights the remarkable growth of the industry over the past three years.”
And of course, Miller emphasized the ability for Americans to safely bet on sports as a central feature of legalized and regulated sports betting markets cropping up across the nation:
“Importantly, when the 2021 NFL season begins, more than 111m American adults will be able to wager safely with regulated sportsbooks in their home states rather than with the predatory illegal market.”
37% of NFL Fans Will Place Bets, According to Research
Breaking down the AGA’s findings shows that 21.7 million American adults plan to wager on the upcoming NFL season but only casually with friends, which is up 31% from 2020’s figures.
19.5 million adults will most likely place an online bet, which is up 73%, while 14.6 million will take part in paid fantasy football offerings — up 69%. 10.5 million adult bettors will place their wagers at a physical casino sportsbook, which is a rise of 58%, before 6.7 million will stick to the classics and place a bet with a bookie. This last figure was up 13%.
The research undertaken by the American Gaming Association also showed that overall 37% of NFL fans hope to place bets on the upcoming season. These compelling findings also include 47% of NFL followers who describe themselves as ‘avid fans’.
Finally, in what is sure to be good news for the sports betting industry at large, 44% of Americans and 63% of NFL fans expressed that the addition of in-venue sportsbooks will enhance the entertainment value of attending in-person sporting events.
Bill Miller capped off his statement by driving home the importance of fans to major sports leagues such as the NFL, while also reminding it that it must uphold its commitment to promoting safer gambling practices:
“Fans are the heartbeat of professional sports, and leagues like the NFL are realizing the full potential of sports betting to drive fan engagement. To capitalize on this tremendous opportunity, the NFL and its 32 teams must also realize their responsibility to educate fans and promote responsible gaming.”– Bill Miller, President and CEO, American Gaming Association (AGA)
March Madness Also Estimated to Break Records
Back in March 2021, the AGA also came out and reported that it expected sports betting to once again spike in the United States during the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (NCAA) beloved March Madness tournament.
Its report showed similar numbers to the expected amount of bettors for the upcoming NFL season. Up to 47 million Americans were expected to place their bets through both legal and unregulated sports betting channels during the popular college basketball tournament.
The AGA claimed that it felt sports bets would grow across media, including both bets placed at retail sportsbooks, such as those located inside casinos, as well as those hosted online. As is perhaps par for the course, bettors were expected to bet more on the championship game.
NFL’s Colts Recently Partnered with EEG
In recent NFL news, e-sports and online gambling company Esports Entertainment Group (EEG) announced earlier this month in September 2021 that it would be partnering together with leading NFL franchise the Indianapolis Colts.
The deal will take the form of a somewhat standard multi-year agreement in which Esports Entertainment will act as the team’s official esports tournament platform provider. It will make use of its leading Esports Gaming League platform to fulfill this part of the agreement.
