Sports gambling as seen a meteoric rise in the Unites States over the last year. With more and more states legalizing sports gambling, Americans wagered more than $52.7 billion in 2021.
That trend is expected to continue on Sunday when the Cincinnati Bengals face off against the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI, and a record 31.4 million American adults plan to gamble on the game.
That's a 35% increase from the number of people who bet on the game in 2021, according to the American Gaming Association (AGA).
Bettors are expected to wager nearly 78% more than they did last year, for a total of $7.61 billion gambled on the game.
Of the 31.4 million expected to place a bet on Sunday, 18.2 million will likely use an online retail sportsbook or with a bookie. That number is also up 78% compared to 2021.
Casual betting for the game is still very common, as pools and square contests are fun and easy ways to place a bet. This type of betting is expected to increase by 23% to 18.5 million bettors this year.
There are now 30 states plus Washington, D.C. where it is legal to gamble on sports, as nearly 45 million Americans now have the legal right to place a bet on a sports game in their home state. Arizona, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming all launched legal sports betting since last year's game.
"The results are clear: Americans have never been more interested in legal sports wagering. The growth of legal options across the country not only protects fans and the integrity of games and bets, but also puts illegal operators on notice that their time is limited," Bill Miller, AGA President and CEO, said in a statement.
As for the game itself, the Rams are currently a 4.5 point favorite over the Bengals. AGA reports that 55% of bettors plan to wager on the Rams, while 45% will be betting on the Bengals.
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