ATLANTIC CITY (N.J.) — According to Tuesday’s estimates by the national trade group for gambling, 31.5 million Americans will place bets on the Super Bowl.
According to the American Gaming Association, more than $7.6 billion is expected to be wagered on Sunday’s pro-football championship game.
New records were set by the number of people who plan to place bets (up 35% compared to last year) as well as the estimated amount being bet (up 78% compared with last year).
Bettors are people who place bets on others, such as friends and family, or enter into office pools.
Bill Miller, the group’s president and CEO, stated that Americans have never been more interested legal sports betting. “The proliferation of legal options in the country not only protects bettors and their integrity, but also alerts illegal operators that they have limited time.”
The game between the Los Angeles Rams (and the Cincinnati Bengals) will be played Sunday night at the Rams home stadium. Legal gambling is legal in 30 states and Washington D.C.
Because their states have legalized sports gambling over the last year, 45 million more people can now bet on Super Bowl.
According to the association,
Up 78% over 2021, 18.2 million Americans will place traditional sports bets online at a sportsbook or with a bookie.
Up 23%: 18.5 million people plan to play casually with their friends or in a contest for squares or pool. According to the association, there are some overlaps between these two groups.
— 76% of people believe it is important to place a bet through a licensed operator, an increase of 11% over last year.
— 55% of the bettors plan to place a wager on the Rams and 45% will back the Bengals. This contradicts data from many legal sportsbooks, which show more money being wagered on Cincinnati so far.
FanDuel, The Associated Press’ official odds provider, reports that 59% of spread betting is on Cincinnati to cover the 4-point spread in the underdog position. 76% of moneyline bets on the Bengals winning the game predict that the spread will not be covered. Similar breakdowns have been reported by other sportsbooks on the bets that were received so far.
People with gambling problems are also at greatest risk during the Super Bowl.
Harry Levant is a Philadelphia-based public health advocate and recovering gambler. He is an official of Stop Predatory Gambling. He said that the continuing wave of sports betting ads and the numerous incentives to get people bet is reminiscent of the efforts of the tobacco industry to get people smoking and to continue doing so.
He stated that legal sports betting is contributing to a growing public health crisis in America.
He said that one in two gamblers will consider suicide and one in five will try to commit suicide. “I am one of those five.”
Levant stated that the rapid growth of in-game gambling feeds into a compulsive gambler’s need for faster and more opportunities to win.
He stated that gambling is no longer restricted to winning the game. “Now, gambling is available on any play. Keep them playing, chase action!”
1-800-GAMBLER is the national helpline for anyone with a gambling problem or those who suspect they may have one.
