While millions of Americans will be eating wings, drinking their favorite alcoholic beverages, and taking in everything Super Bowl 59 in New Orleans offers this Sunday, millions more will be going to their sportsbooks or on their electronic devices to wager on the game.
The American Gaming Association says gamblers in the United States will legally wager a record $1.39 billion on Super Bowl 59 between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles.
‘No single event unites sports fans like the Super Bowl, and that excitement extends to sports betting, with this year’s record legal handle reflecting its widespread appeal,’ AGA President and CEO Bill Miller said in a statement. ‘This figure underscores the positive impact of the legal market – from protecting consumers to generating tax revenue that benefits communities across the country – while enhancing the game experience for all.’
Since the United States Supreme Court overturned a 1992 federal law banning sports betting in May 2018, 38 states and the District of Columbia have made it legal to place bets on live sports. This has eliminated a business that saw an estimated $150 billion in illegal wagers before the law was struck down.
The AGA said last year that nearly 68% of American adults wagered on Super Bowl 58, which was played in Las Vegas, considered the gambling capital of the world.
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