Americans expected to legally wager record $1.76 billion on Super Bowl LX

• The American Gaming Association projects $1.76 billion in legal sports betting handle for Super Bowl LX.
• The estimate represents a 26.6% increase from last year’s $1.39 billion projection, marking continued growth in regulated markets.
• The research from Experiential Insights reveals prediction market users are three times more likely to view wagering as investing rather than gambling.

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has forecast that Americans will legally wager approximately $1.76 billion on Super Bowl LX, representing a new record for the championship game.

The projection applies to wagers placed through state and tribal-regulated sportsbooks for the 8 February matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

The trade group representing the US casino industry announced the estimate on 30 January 2026. The figure represents a 26.6% year-over-year increase from the $1.39 billion projected for Super Bowl LIX in February 2025.

Legal market expansion drives growth

The projected increase reflects both market maturation and geographic expansion. Legal sports betting now operates in 39 states and Washington DC, with Missouri becoming the most recent addition when it launched its regulated market on 1 December 2025.

“No single event brings fans together like the Super Bowl, and this record figure shows just how much Americans enjoy sports betting as part of the experience,” said Bill Miller, AGA president and CEO.

“By choosing legal, regulated sportsbooks, fans are having fun while supporting a safe and responsible market.“

The AGA’s estimate excludes bets placed through federally regulated prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket, as well as illegal offshore operators.

Industry projections align closely

Alternative estimates support the AGA’s forecast. The Sports Betting Alliance, partnering with Legal Sports Report, projected $1.71 billion in Super Bowl LX wagering. Market researcher Eilers & Krejcik Gaming estimated $1.6 billion, which would still mark approximately 10% year-over-year growth.

Data from geo-tracking company GeoComply showed a 14% increase in active online sportsbook player accounts during last year’s Super Bowl weekend compared to the previous year. Growth rates were approximately twice as high in states where regulators took enforcement action against offshore sportsbooks.

New York, the largest sports betting market by volume, reported record handle of $26.3 billion in 2025, representing nearly 15% growth from 2024.

Prediction markets raise consumer protection concerns

The AGA released research highlighting concerns about prediction market platforms that offer sports event contracts. The organisation commissioned Experiential Insights, LLC to conduct a national online survey of 1,025 sportsbook and sports event contract users between 16-31 December 2025, with a margin of error of ±2% at 95% confidence level.

The study found that 28% of prediction market users view their activity as investing rather than gambling, compared with just 9% of traditional sportsbook bettors. Additionally, 31% of prediction market users reported exposure to trading-as-investment messaging, versus 7% of sportsbook users.

Responsible gaming tool accessibility also showed significant gaps. Only 28% of sports event contract bettors said responsible gaming tools were easy to find on their platform, compared to 58% of sportsbook users.

“This research reinforces why state- and tribal-regulated sportsbooks are critical, offering strong oversight and consumer protections that prediction markets simply do not match,” Miller added.

The survey further revealed that 78% of sports event contract bettors believe state regulators could assist in resolving disputes on their platform, despite prediction markets operating under federal rather than state regulation.

Super Bowl LX matchup and broadcast details

Super Bowl LX will feature a rematch of Super Bowl XLIX, where the Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24 on 1 February 2015. The game marks the second Super Bowl held at Levi’s Stadium, following Super Bowl 50 in 2016.

Both teams finished the regular season with 14-3 records. Seattle, as the NFC’s top seed, seeks its second Super Bowl title and first since Super Bowl XLVIII. New England, the AFC’s second seed, aims for a record seventh championship in its 12th Super Bowl appearance.

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 pm ET (3:30 pm PT) on Sunday, 8 February 2026. NBC will broadcast the game in English, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. Bad Bunny will headline the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show, whilst Green Day will perform a pre-game special starting at 6 pm ET.