NFL expected to see record $35 billion in gambling this season

Sports betting is gaining unstoppable momentum each year as legalization sweeps across the United States.

The American Gaming Association expects a record $35 billion in legal wagers to come this NFL season, up 30 percent from last year when the AGA anticipated $26.7 billion.

For comparison, the NFL’s power in the gambling world is about 12 times greater than that of March Madness, for which the AGA projected $3 billion in wagers.

The NFL is far and away the most popular sport to bet on thanks to its wide variety of available props, including anytime touchdown scorer and yardage bets, while live programming like “RedZone” continues to ingratiate themselves with legal online betting.

Another factor for the 30 percent increase in sports betting revenue is likely due to Maine, North Carolina and Vermont legalizing sports betting after the start of last NFL season.

Legal online sports betting is now live in 38 states and Washington D.C.

The online betting market is mostly controlled by DraftKings and FanDuel, who together control roughly 70 percent of betting handles (total money bet) across the country.

The rest is divided by start-up operations, ESPN BET and Fanatics, while stalwarts BetMGM, Bet365 and Caesars continue to carve out their niche in the betting market.

Sportsbook operators are constantly getting creative with different betting markets that you wouldn’t expect to see.

The Post first reported that DraftKings would begin offering the “No” side of touchdown scorer props during the 2024 NFL season, a massive development from the leading online operator.

Offering the “no” side of usually one-way markets helps bettors get more accurate prices on the “yes” side.

Fanatics, among others, have also been ones to price “next team odds” for players who are set to enter free agency.

For instance, Jacob deGrom was once 30/1 to go to the Texas Rangers during the MLB offseason in 2022 before signing there.

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The battle for market share between these operators comes down to technology, diversified betting options and availability.

With football season rapidly approaching, Fanatics and ESPN BET are rapidly upping their promotions and app technology in an attempt to take down the goliaths FanDuel and DraftKings.

ESPN BET is offering a wide amount of bonus bets, while Fanatics is giving out profit boosts like they are hot cakes.

It will be interesting to see if those attempts are futile, though, as the season kicks off Thursday when the Chiefs host the Ravens.