Super Bowl Betting Forecast to Reach Nearly $1.4B, Illegal Wagers Remain Richer

Posted on: February 4, 2025, 02:09h. 

Last updated on: February 4, 2025, 02:30h.

Super Bowl betting for this Sunday’s big game between the two-time defending NFL champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles is expected to generate record legal wagering.

Super Bowl betting odds Chiefs Eagles
Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles is set for this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, from the New Orleans Caesars Superdome. Legal betting on the big game is forecast to reach almost $1.4 billion. (Image: Shutterstock)

With sports betting legal and operational in 38 states and Washington, DC, the American Gaming Association (AGA) projects that regulated oddsmakers will field almost $1.4 billion in bets on Super Bowl LIX. That’s about $150 million more than the AGA’s estimate on last year’s Super Bowl.

No single event unites sports fans like the Super Bowl, and that excitement extends to sports betting, with this year’s record legal handle reflecting its widespread appeal,” said Bill Miller, AGA president and CEO. “This figure underscores the positive impact of the legal market — from protecting consumers to generating tax revenue that benefits communities across the country — while enhancing the game experience for all.”

The AGA, the trade group that lobbies the federal government and state legislatures across the country on behalf of its commercial and tribal gaming members, says a legal sports betting market promotes responsible participation, safeguards consumers, and supports economic growth. The AGA also believes legal gaming is a detriment to illegal offshore and underground betting operations, though when it comes to sports gambling, the illicit industry remains rampant.

Sports Betting Websites Remain Popular

The AGA projects that Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX will see an unprecedented $1.39 billion in legal bets made on the NFL title game. While a record number of sports bettors are also expected to participate with a legal, regulated sportsbook, whether it be online or in-person, the illegal market continues to thrive.

In years past, the AGA provided Super Bowl betting estimates inclusive of both legal and illegal channels. For last year’s game, the trade group estimated that a record 68 million people in the United States would bet more than $23.1 billion on Super Bowl LVIII between the Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

The lofty forecasts came despite both teams coming from states where sports gambling remained prohibited. Missouri legalized sports betting last year through a statewide ballot referendum, but operations won’t begin until this summer.

Philadelphia comes from one of the richest legal sports betting states. And with the Chiefs competing for a three-peat, which would be a historic first in the Super Bowl era, betting excitement is high.

The last team to win three straight NFL titles was the Green Bay Packers, who won the 1965 NFL Championship and then Super Bowls I and II the following two years.

Super Bowl Odds

With just five days until Super Bowl LIX kicks off at 6:30 pm EST from the New Orleans Caesars Superdome, the Chiefs remain a slight betting favorite against the Eagles.

Kansas City is a 1.5-point favorite at most books, including FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and ESPN Bet. Chiefs backers can find slightly better odds at Caesars Sportsbook, which has KC favored by only a point.

As for the moneyline, most books have Kansas City at -120 and Philadelphia at +100. The over/under point total is at 48.5 to 49 points. Most sportsbooks also have an array of prop bets ranging from the result of the coin flip to what color Gatorade will be poured on the winning coach.