Record bets are expected for this year’s Super Bowl

A record 26 million Americans are expected to wager on the Super Bowl LIV, which takes place next week in the US.

US.- Approximately 26 million Americans will bet on the upcoming Super Bowl LIV, according to new data released by the American Gaming Association (AGA). This figure establishes that there are 3 million more people participating in this activity in 2020 than last year.

The survey from AGA, which was conducted by Morning Consult, estimates Americans will wager approximately US$6.8 billion on the NFL championship game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. More than one-in-ten American adults plan to bet on Super Bowl LIV, which is a record.

Of the 26 million Americans who will wager on the Super Bowl, close to 4 million will place a bet in person at a brick-and-mortar sportsbook, a 25% increase from last year. Nearly 5 million will place a bet through an online or mobile platform, either through a licensed, legal operator or an illegal offshore book, a 19% increase from last year.

Millions more will wager with a bookie, in a pool or squares contest, or casually with family or friends. 52% say they will bet on the Kansas City Chiefs, while 48% will bet on the San Francisco 49ers.

“With 14 operational markets and another seven close behind, Americans have never before had so many opportunities to wager on the Super Bowl in a safe and legal manner, and clearly, they are getting in on the action,” said Bill Miller, president and CEO of the American Gaming Association. “With increased visitation to legal sportsbooks, we are successfully drawing bettors away from the predatory illegal market.”

“I have absolute confidence that Americans didn’t start betting on sports when the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was overturned,” continued Miller. “What makes this year’s Super Bowl remarkable is that more fans than ever before will have the reassurance that the integrity of their bets on the big game will be preserved. The continued expansion of legal sports betting—to the detriment of the illegal market—truly benefits all stakeholders, from enhanced fan engagement for teams to added tax revenue for state and local economies.”