68 million adults are expected to wager on this year’s Super Bowl, according to gambling industry’s national trade association. That’s a record (by a long shot). Those numbers include both legal and illegal wagers.
1 in 4 American Adults Will Gamble on This Year’s Big Game
Experts suggest that this is just the beginning as sports betting continues to grow in the U.S. It’s legal in 38 states plus Washington, D.C. “There’s a good chance that every Super Bowl for the next ten or so years will be the most bet Super Bowl thanks to the underlying growth of regulated sports betting in the U.S.,” said gambling analyst Chris Grove, a partner at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming.
This year’s projections are a 35% increase from last year’s, a pattern that is expected to continue for years to come.
Taylor Swift Effect
“I think the ‘Taylor Swift effect’ will be more obviously felt in terms of the total number of people watching and betting on the game than it will be in the total dollars bet on the game,” Grove said. “But there’s little doubt that sportsbooks will be seeing Swifties sign up that otherwise would not have given sports betting a second thought.”
73% of adults plan to watch this year’s game, a 10% increase from last year. The numbers show there’s clearly some new football fans. Will they be placing wagers as well?
No Matter What, Be Safe
Sports betting certainly adds an edge to the already-exhilarating experience of live sports. “The game-watching experience has become more immersive than ever before,” said Brian Becker, senior vice president of Tipico Sportsbook. “As we approach Super Bowl Sunday, we also expect the festivities in Las Vegas to have a ripple effect across the country and entice more fans to place bets than in years past with the microscope of media and advertising on Vegas culture.”
Know the psychological risks at play when you put your money on the line. Last year, the National Council on Problem Gambling estimated that risks of gambling addictions grew by 30% in just 3 years. As “all-time highs” continue to climb, make sure you stay grounded.
If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, help is available. The National Council on Problem Gambling provides a range of resources, including answers to commonly asked questions, a gambling behavior self assessment, information about treatment and the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) to help connect you with local resources.
