Date Published: August 29, 2025, 12:21 PM
Last Updated: August 28, 2025, 03:22 PM
- Projected legal betting on the NFL this season may hit $30 billion
- This estimate is provided by the American Gaming Association
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), this NFL season is poised to witness a historic increase in legal betting activity across the United States.
The growing revenue from sports betting is evident in many states with regulated markets. Currently, there are 38 states and Washington, D.C. that offer some form of legal sports wagering, with mobile betting permitted in 33 states and D.C.
The total will rise to 39 states once Missouri’s online and retail sportsbooks begin operations on December 1, 2025.
“This season, fans have more opportunities than ever to engage with the sport they cherish in a responsible manner. Legal sports betting adds a layer of excitement and friendly rivalry that enhances the NFL experience,” stated Bill Miller, President and CEO of the AGA.
The AGA forecasts that legal NFL wagers will total $30 billion this year, reflecting an 8.5% increase compared to 2024.
The NFL season is set to begin next Thursday, September 4, featuring a matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles in an intense NFC East rivalry. Currently, the Eagles are favored by 6.5 points, with an over/under of 46.5 points.
AGA Promotes Responsible Gambling Practices
The AGA emphasizes the importance of responsible gambling among fans who choose to wager on NFL games. Their official NFL sports betting announcement includes guidelines under the “Have A Game Plan. Bet Responsibly” initiative, which advises setting a budget, keeping betting social and entertaining, understanding odds, wagering with licensed operators, and refraining from online harassment of players.
“With comprehensive consumer protections and a commitment to responsible gaming, the regulated sports betting sector encourages football enthusiasts to develop a game plan before placing any bets to ensure their game day experience remains fun, regardless of the betting outcomes,” Miller noted.
While legal sports betting options are more widespread than ever, the illegal market continues to prosper. The AGA disclosed earlier this month that local bookies and unregulated online sportsbooks took an estimated $84 billion in bets across all sports last year, generating around $5 billion in revenue.
Illegal sportsbooks reportedly maintained roughly 24% of the overall U.S. sports betting market, a decrease from 36% in 2022, yet still unacceptably high in the eyes of the AGA.
“These illicit operators function without any consumer safeguards, lack responsible gaming practices, and provide no economic benefits to the communities they serve,” stated Miller. “Tackling this issue calls for stronger enforcement across the U.S. and ongoing collaboration with international partners to eliminate offshore operations and hold them accountable.”
NFL Super Bowl Odds
As the 2025 NFL season approaches, DraftKings has identified two teams as the frontrunners for the Super Bowl title — one of which is not the Eagles.
The Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens lead the Super Bowl odds at +600. The Eagles follow at +750, with the Kansas City Chiefs at +850 and the Detroit Lions rounding out the top five at +1200.
The New Orleans Saints are listed with the longest odds at +5000, closely followed by the Cleveland Browns at +4000.