Sports betting is a huge part of modern American culture. This is perhaps best highlighted by the recent 2024 Super Bowl, which saw nearly 68 million adults bet on the sporting spectacle while Taylor Swift sat in the stands. To do this, people used FanDuel, DraftKings, and various other sports betting sites that have now taken over the US — and the trend shows no sign of slowing down.

Why is Sports Betting So Popular in the US?

Sports betting has been on the rise in the US ever since the start of the 2020. This is because sports betting allows people to put their sports knowledge to the test, share banter with friends, and (potentially) earn a profit on the bets they place. Not only this, but big influencer names, such as Drake, have endorsed online gambling over recent years, which has led to further spikes in its popularity. Combine all of this together and you get an extremely exciting spectacle.

The Backlash Against Sports Betting

❌ There’s a belief amongst some people that sports betting can be harmful to both the public and athletes

❌ The NFL and other big American sports leagues have banned athletes and staff members from betting on US sports

Despite rising popularity, sports betting isn’t for everyone in the US. Alabama, California, Texas, Utah, and various other states have implemented bans on sports betting due to concerns surrounding its safety. As a result, this has led to many US bettors in these states using VPNs to access off-short betting sites from other states and countries. However, it’s a bad idea to use a VPN if you want to bet on sports, so make sure you avoid doing this.

Projected Growth of US Sports Betting

Despite the mixed reception that US sports betting is currently facing, the sports betting industry in America is projected to keep going in one direction: upwards. Between now and 2028, it’s expected to experience an annual growth rate of 13.03%, which will result in a huge market volume of $15.7 billion by the year 2028 (Statista). On top of this, the number of active sports bettors in the US will surpass 52 million, which (again) shows that the sports betting in the US is no longer just a trend — it’s a lifestyle.

Final Thoughts

If one thing is for certain, it’s that sports betting splits opinion. However, moving into the future, all signs point to a continued rise in popularity for the US sports betting market. FanDuel, BetMGM, and DraftKings will all continue to attract new users and the world’s biggest sporting events (such as the Super Bowl) will keep smashing betting records out of the park. If you decide to join in the fun, then make sure to only do this if you’re above the legal gambling age.