The American Gaming Association (AGA) has published a new survey on the upcoming Super Bowl LVIII. According to the association, a quarter of the American adult population (26%, or 68 million) is expected to wager a whopping $23.1 billion on the Big Game.

This figure would represent a significant increase from the $16 billion Americans wagered last year. The higher numbers were attributed to the increase in states where sports betting is now legal.

Based on a sample of 2,204 adults, the AGA concluded that 42.7 million American adults will likely place a traditional sports wager online, at a retail sportsbook or with a bookie. This represents a 41% increase from 2023.

In the meantime, 36.5 million are planning to bet casually with friends or as a part of a pool or squares contest, up 32% from 2023.

The AGA also pointed out that more and more bettors are now wagering with legal sports betting operators. According to the association 28.7 million adults, or 11% of the adult population, are planning to bet using a regulated US sportsbook.

The AGA also said that 47% of bettors are planning to bet on the Kansas City Chiefs against 44% planning to bet on the San Francisco 49ers.

Bill Miller Highlights the Importance of Player Protection

AGA’s president and chief executive, Bill Miller, commented on the figures, saying that America is experiencing record interest in wagering. He added that this means that player protection is more important than ever, which is why the AGA will continue prioritizing investment in responsible gambling tools.

In line with that, 75% of Super Bowl bettors have reported seeing responsible gambling messages. In addition, 47% of all American adults have heard or seen a responsible gambling ad at least one time in the past year, up from 40% in 2022.

During Super Bowl week, AGA’s Miller will join forces with ex-NFL professional and current Fox Sports Big Noon Kickoff host Mark Ingram II. The two will comment on the state of sports betting in the US and the importance of safer gambling.

The thrill of the game and the passion of the fans are what make sports so rewarding and fun. Legalized sports betting builds on this excitement. That’s why I’m thrilled to partner with the American Gaming Association to encourage fans, whether it’s during the Big Game or throughout the year, to keep it social and wager responsibly.

Mark Ingram II

For reference, sports betting is now legal in 38 states and Washington DC, providing over 67% of all adult Americans with access to legal betting.

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The American Gaming Association (AGA)’s recent report reveals an impressive surge in the US gaming industry, with Americans contributing to a remarkable 33% increase from the previous year’s betting volumes, setting the stage for a record-breaking year in the gaming landscape. While some segments performed better than others, the sector’s success is indisputable.

The Sector Shows Little Signs of Slowing Down

October alone witnessed the US commercial gaming industry rake in a total revenue of $5.62 billion. This noteworthy achievement, encompassing traditional casino games, sports betting, and iGaming, marks a 5.9% increase from 2022. Remarkably, October became the industry’s 32nd consecutive month of year-over-year growth, securing its place as the third highest-grossing month in US gaming history.

The sustained growth momentum, however, exhibited a slight deceleration, predominantly attributed to the post-pandemic recovery normalization in the brick-and-mortar vertical. Despite this, the cumulative revenue through October stands at $54.40 billion, already surpassing the total revenue for 2021, which stood at $52.80 billion, marking 2023 on track to become the highest-grossing year on record.

October showcased an ongoing trend in revenue generation, with land-based gaming experiencing a marginal dip of 2.2% year-over-year, settling at $3.95 billion. In contrast, online gaming revenue surged impressively by 34.4% to $533.6 billion, predominantly propelled by the introduction of online sports betting in various states, including Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Ohio.

Sports Betting May Pass $100 Billion in Annual Handle

Sports betting also performed exceptionally well in October, setting a record for sports betting handle. Americans wagered a substantial $12.16 billion, a 25.5% increase compared to the same month in 2022. The sustained growth in sports betting is most evident by the year-to-date revenue standing at $8.33 billion, already surpassing the full-year revenue for 2022, which amounted to $7.18 billion.

With the impressive year-to-date handle reaching $91.98 billion, the sports wagering industry should confidently cross the $100 billion milestone in annual sports betting handle by year-end, barring a significant slowdown in November and December. However, this psychological barrier is just the beginning, as promising US jurisdictions like Florida, Texas, and California legalizing wagering may propel this figure to new heights.

The AGA’s report underscores a booming US gaming landscape, reflecting unprecedented growth and setting the stage for a landmark year in the industry’s history. The country’s regulatory complexities still present significant challenges for operators, especially those operating in multiple states. However, as more and more jurisdictions adopt regulated gambling, the figures in this report may soon pale in comparison.

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As the NFL season gears up for kick-off, ESPN’s sports betting news and information program, Daily Wager, is making a major transition back to the East Coast. The show, which initially premiered on March 11, 2019, in Bristol, Connecticut, is returning to its roots and will commence broadcasting from ESPN’s headquarters on September 7, according to an announcement made by the network.

Relocation of Daily Wager Show Coincides with ESPN’s Strategic Partnership

With the impending launch of ESPN BET, a network-branded online sportsbook, the decision has been made to relocate the Daily Wager show from the Las Vegas Strip back to Bristol. ESPN recently entered into a transformative sports betting partnership with PENN Entertainment, aiming to unveil ESPN BET sometime this fall, potentially around Thanksgiving Day, as revealed by PENN Entertainment CEO Jay Snowden during an analyst conference call.

This shift in focus is leading to the unwinding of ESPN’s marketing affiliations with industry giants Caesars Entertainment and DraftKings, according to sources familiar with the matter. The Linq Promenade, where Daily Wager had its Vegas home, falls under the umbrella of Caesars Entertainment and was inaugurated by the casino conglomerate back in 2013.

Acknowledging the change, Scott Clark, VP of ESPN’s fantasy and sports betting content, expressed gratitude for the time spent in Las Vegas, stating: “ESPN created some great content and incredible memories during our time at the Las Vegas studio. With our new ESPN BET deal set to launch this fall, we felt it was best to return to our headquarters.”

Clark further extended his gratitude to everyone ESPN had collaborated with at Caesars Entertainment throughout the previous years and conveyed his best wishes for their future endeavors. 

New Schedule for Daily Wager Show Unveiled Alongside On-Air Shifts

Coinciding with the relocation, ESPN unveiled a fresh weekly schedule for Daily Wager. The show will air on ESPN2 from Thursday through Monday, with Tuesday and Wednesday marked as days off. Additionally, a new Saturday morning edition is being introduced at 11 AM ET to provide viewers with insights into the weekend’s football matchups.

This move follows ESPN laying off approximately 20 on-air personalities in July, including sports betting analyst Doug Kezirian and boxing analyst Andre Ward. These cuts, which also affected prominent figures like Jeff Van Gundy, Vince Carter, and Todd McShay, were confirmed following speculation about the reasons behind the move, including the impact of newcomer Pat McAfee and the network’s focus on managing costs during contract renewals.

With the NFL season’s commencement on September 7, marked by a face-off between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Detroit Lions, the network’s restructured lineup is poised to offer fans an enhanced sports betting experience. ESPN’s extensive sports coverage also includes the upcoming regular seasons of the NBA and NHL, both set to debut later this fall.

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