Legal Sports Betting on NFL Forecast to Grow During 2025 Season
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), there is a significant chance that Americans will wager more money on the NFL through legal channels this season than they have in the past.
Given that sports betting income is still rising in the majority of states where it is legally permitted, this shouldn't be shocking. Sports gambling is legal in 38 states and Washington, DC. In 33 states and Washington, DC, mobile betting is permitted.
When Missouri's online and physical sportsbooks start accepting bets on December 1, 2025, the market will grow to 39 states.
"This season, fans have more ways than ever to responsibly engage with the game they love. Legal sports betting enhances the fun and friendly competition that make NFL games and traditions even more special,” said AGA President and CEO Bill Miller.
Legal wagers on the NFL are expected to hit $30 billion this year, according to the AGA, the trade association that represents the commercial and tribal gambling interests in the nation's capital. That is an 8.5% increase over 2024.
On Thursday, September 4, the NFL season begins with an NFC East rivalry matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles. With the over/under at 46.5 points, Philadelphia is favored by 6.5 points.
AGA Promotes Conscientious Involvement
The AGA emphasizes that fans who choose to wager on the NFL should do so responsibly. The AGA's "Have A Game Plan" is part of the group's NFL sports betting forecasts. The tenets of "Bet Responsibly" include adhering to a budget, using it as a social and recreational activity, being aware of the odds, only placing bets with authorized operators, and abstaining from pestering players on social media.
"With strong consumer protections and a shared commitment to responsibility, the legal, regulated sports betting industry encourages all football fans to have a game plan before placing a bet and ensure their gameday experience — regardless of the outcome of a bet or the game — remains enjoyable,” Miller added.
Although there is greater access to regulated sports betting than ever before, the illicit sector is nevertheless booming. Local bookies and offshore online sportsbooks reportedly accepted $84 billion in bets on all sports last year, earning an estimated $5 billion in revenue, according to an AGA report earlier this month.
Although it has decreased from 36% in 2022, illegal sportsbook operators still control an estimated 24% of the US sports betting market, which is still much too high in the AGA's opinion.
“These bad actors operate in the shadows with zero consumer protections, no responsible gaming obligations, and no economic return to the communities they exploit,” said Miller. “Combating them requires not only stronger U.S. enforcement, but also continuing to work closely with our international partners to shut down offshore operators and hold them accountable.”
NFL Prospects
Two teams are predicted by DraftKings to win the Super Bowl ahead of the 2025 NFL season, and one of them is not the Eagles.
At +600, the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens have the shortest odds of winning the championship. The Detroit Lions complete the top five at +1200, followed by the Eagles at +750 and the Kansas City Chiefs at +850.
At +5000, the New Orleans Saints have the longest odds. At +4000, the Cleveland Browns are a close second.
