AGA Report: More Than $1.7 Billion To Be Wagered On 2026 Super Bowl
According to a report from the American Gaming Association, sports bettors will wager $1.76 billion on Sunday’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. It’s a hefty increase from last year’s $1.39 billion projection.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said the staggering amount points to the continued strength of the legal, state- and tribal-regulated sports betting markets.
“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,” Miller said. “By choosing legal, regulated sportsbooks, fans are having fun while supporting a safe and responsible market.”
There will also likely be a significant amount wagered at offshore, unregulated platforms.
As of Monday, the Seahawks were a 4.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 46.5.
Prediction Markets Causing Confusion, AGA Study Says
A new AGA study reports that prediction markets are confusing bettors by promoting sports betting as an investment rather than entertainment. The AGA said this underscores concerns about how these platforms are marketed and their lack of responsible gaming tools.
The study found that 78% of sports event contract bettors believe state regulators could help in resolving disputes on their platforms. However, these companies operate outside state regulatory frameworks.
The AGA report also details concerns about responsible gaming. Sports event contract bettors are three times more likely than traditional sportsbook bettors to view their trading as an investment, according to the study. A total of 28% of event contract bettors view their activity as investing, while just 9% of sportsbook users describe their betting activities in those terms.
The AGA also found:
- 31% of sports event contract bettors encountered trading or investing comparisons in platform messaging compared to just 7% of sportsbook users.
- 25% of sports event contract users funded their accounts from an investment budget, compared to only 9% of sportsbook bettors.
- Despite a quarter of sports event contract bettors believing they are investing, most (58%) still view the activity as gambling. The AGA said this suggests some users distinguish between platform messaging and real associated risks.
- Only 28% of sports event contract bettors reported that responsible gaming tools were easy to find on those platforms; 58% of sportsbook users reported easily finding these tools.
“This research reinforces why state- and tribal-regulated sportsbooks are critical, offering strong oversight and consumer protections that prediction markets simply do not match,” Miller said.
In-Stadium Betting Driving Growth
Geolocation firm GeoComply recently released data showing how American gamblers are actually engaging in sports betting. In-stadium betting has become much more popular, according to the company’s Edge Stadium Data.
“NFL venues have quietly become powerful engines for digital engagement, customer acquisition, and real-time interaction,” GeoComply said. Some of the insights from the data include:
- 10-13% of fans at top NFL venues engaged with betting apps during games.
- 130-450 new betting accounts were created per game, highlighting how live events are driving customer acquisition in real time.
- Playoff teams saw measurable spikes in in-stadium engagement.
- Las Vegas emerged as a unique “sports betting tourism” hub, drawing fans from across the country.
Top 5 Stadiums For In-Stadium Betting Engagement
| Stadium | Geolocation Checks | Account Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Gillette Stadium (New England Patriots) | +34.2% | +59% |
| Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders) | +33.7% | +26% |
| Empower Field (Denver Broncos) | +25.2% | +24% |
| Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers) | +19.5% | +17% |
| Bank of America Stadium (Carolina Panthers) | +10% | +38% |
Additionally, Kansas City’s GEHA Field quickly became one of the strongest venues for new account creation after mobile betting launched Dec. 1 in Missouri.
Ironically, the Super Bowl is in California at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The state doesn’t offer legal wagering. Several efforts toward legalization have failed over the last few years.
A total of 39 states, along with Washington D.C. and the US territory of Puerto Rico, have legalized betting since the Supreme Court overturned the ban on sports betting outside the state of Nevada. Mississippi is the latest considering legalizing mobile betting.
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