Americans legally wagered $166.94 billion on sports in 2025, pushing U.S. sportsbook revenue to a record $16.96 billion, a 22.8% jump over 2024. The global market sits near $125 billion as of 2026 and is on track to more than double by 2035. This post breaks down where the money is moving, who is placing the bets, and which operators are winning.
Sports Betting Industry Statistics 2026: Key Numbers
- U.S. sports betting revenue reached $16.96 billion in 2025, up 22.8% year-over-year, on a total handle of $166.94 billion.
- The global sports betting market is valued at roughly $125 billion in 2026 and is forecast to hit $325.71 billion by 2035 at an 11.24% CAGR.
- State-regulated U.S. sportsbooks paid $3.71 billion in taxes in 2025, a 32.4% increase over the prior year.
- FanDuel holds 39.6% of the U.S. handle and DraftKings holds 35.3% as of February 2026, giving the duopoly nearly 75% of the regulated market.
- Online platforms processed close to 75% of all sports betting revenue worldwide in 2025, with mobile apps alone handling 78% of online wagers.
Global Sports Betting Industry Statistics 2026
The global sports betting market grew from $119.26 billion in 2025 to $125.12 billion in 2026, according to The Business Research Company. Precedence Research puts the figure slightly higher at $124.88 billion for 2026, projecting the market will reach $325.71 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 11.24%.
Online sports betting alone stood at $49.74 billion in 2026 and is projected to climb to $92.49 billion by 2031, per Mordor Intelligence. Live or in-play wagering took 62.35% of online betting revenue in 2025.
| Year | Global Market Size (USD Billion) | Annual Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $108.5 | — |
| 2025 | $119.26 | 9.9% |
| 2026 | $125.12 | 4.9% |
| 2030 (forecast) | $153.44 | 5.2% CAGR (2026–2030) |
| 2035 (forecast) | $325.71 | 11.24% CAGR (2026–2035) |
Source: Precedence Research, The Business Research Company
U.S. Sports Betting Industry Statistics 2026
The American Gaming Association reported $16.96 billion in U.S. sports betting revenue for 2025, with a total handle of $166.94 billion, an 11% increase. All 38 commercial gaming markets posted annual revenue gains. Sports betting tax receipts hit $3.71 billion, up 32.4%.
New York, Illinois, and New Jersey remain the three largest state markets by revenue. The U.S. commercial gaming industry as a whole brought in $78.72 billion in 2025, a 9.2% increase, of which sports betting now accounts for roughly 22%.
| Year | Handle (USD Billion) | Revenue (USD Billion) | State Tax Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $93.20 | $7.50 | $1.50B |
| 2023 | $120.00 | $11.04 | $2.30B |
| 2024 | $149.90 | $13.78 | $2.80B |
| 2025 | $166.94 | $16.96 | $3.71B |
Source: American Gaming Association Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker
How Many People Bet on Sports?
About 22% of all U.S. adults held an active online sportsbook account in early 2025, according to a Siena College Research Institute poll of more than 3,000 respondents. Among men aged 18 to 49, that figure rises to 48%.
Globally, 60% of adults across 34 surveyed countries placed at least one sports bet in the previous 12 months, up from 35.4% in 2022. Average revenue per user sits at $335.47 in 2025.
During the 2024-2025 NFL season, more than 76 million Americans wagered on games, and 68 million bet on Super Bowl LIX. The AGA estimates Super Bowl LX drew $1.76 billion in legal wagers.
Sports Betting Demographics
The 25-to-34 age group makes up 34% of U.S. sports bettors, the largest single bracket. The 35-to-44 group follows at 31%. Together, adults aged 25 to 44 account for 65% of all sportsbook users, per Statista 2024 survey data.
Men remain the majority at roughly 69% of bettors in the United States, with women at 31%. Globally the split is closer to 70/30. Female participation has climbed in markets like Brazil, where women now make up 47% of bettors, and France at 36%.
| Age Group | Share of U.S. Sports Bettors | Avg. Monthly Wager Profile |
|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | 14% | 82.8% bet under $50 |
| 25–34 | 34% | Highest participation rate |
| 35–44 | 31% | Highest spend per session |
| 45–54 | 13% | Mix of casual and frequent bettors |
| 55+ | 8% | Mostly casual, lower frequency |
Source: Statista Consumer Insights, Odds Assist Research
Income and Education Profile
Bettors skew higher-income and more educated than the general population. About 44% of U.S. sports bettors earn $100,000 or more per year, per Ipsos. Nearly 60% hold a bachelor’s degree, and 28.6% hold a graduate degree, against a national rate of around 31% for any college degree.
Sports Betting Industry Statistics 2026 by Region
Europe holds the largest regional share at roughly 41% to 48% of global sports betting revenue, depending on the methodology used. North America is the fastest-growing major region, projected to grow at 13.94% CAGR through 2031, driven by ongoing state-level rollouts in the U.S.
Asia Pacific accounts for around 15% of the global market and is forecast to expand at 11.1% annually through 2034, with regulatory shifts in India and the Philippines opening new licensed channels.
| Region | 2025 Market Share | Projected CAGR |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 41–48% | 11.0% |
| North America | 28–30% | 13.94% |
| Asia Pacific | 15% | 11.1% |
| Latin America | 9% | 19% (2024 YoY) |
| Africa | 3% | 12.5% |
Source: Mordor Intelligence, Polaris Market Research
Top Sportsbook Operators by Market Share
FanDuel and DraftKings continue to dominate the U.S. market. FanDuel led with 39.6% of the regulated handle through February 2026, while DraftKings held 35.3%, according to Casino Reports data drawn from state filings. Together they control around 75% of all U.S. sports betting handle.
BetMGM holds about 14% of gross gaming revenue, with Fanatics, Caesars, ESPN BET, and bet365 splitting most of the remainder. Fanatics jumped to 14.3% briefly in August 2025, signaling the duopoly’s grip is not absolute.
| Operator | U.S. Handle Share (Feb 2026) | Parent Company |
|---|---|---|
| FanDuel | 39.6% | Flutter Entertainment |
| DraftKings | 35.3% | DraftKings Inc. |
| BetMGM | ~10% | MGM Resorts / Entain |
| Fanatics | ~6% | Fanatics Holdings |
| Caesars | ~4% | Caesars Entertainment |
| bet365 | ~3% | bet365 Group |
| ESPN BET | ~2% | Penn Entertainment |
Source: Casino Reports U.S. Sports Betting Database, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming
Sports Betting Industry Statistics 2026 by Sport
Football is the global leader, with European football alone generating more than 40% of global online sports betting revenue. The 2024 NFL season drew over 76 million U.S. bettors, making American football the highest-grossing sport in the U.S. market.
Basketball accounts for 15% to 18% of global betting activity. In the U.S., basketball makes up roughly 31% of sportsbook activity in some operator datasets, helped by year-round NBA action and March Madness.
| Sport | Share of Global Betting Activity | Notable Tournament |
|---|---|---|
| Football (Soccer) | 40%+ | FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League |
| American Football | ~20% (U.S.) | Super Bowl, NFL Playoffs |
| Basketball | 15–18% | NBA Finals, March Madness |
| Cricket | ~8% | IPL, ICC World Cup |
| Tennis | ~6% | Grand Slam events |
| Esports | ~3% | League of Legends Worlds, CS2 Majors |
| Horse Racing | ~5% | Kentucky Derby, Royal Ascot |
Source: Business Research Insights, Mordor Intelligence
Mobile and Online Sports Betting Statistics
The online segment took close to 75% of global sports betting revenue in 2025, per Precedence Research. Mobile apps handled 78% of all online wagers globally in 2024. In legalized U.S. states, online platforms process about 95% of total bets.
Live or in-play betting remained the leading bet type, capturing 62.35% of online sports betting revenue in 2025. The format is growing at 13.62% CAGR through 2031, faster than the overall market.
Esports Betting Statistics
Around 74.3 million people placed esports bets globally in 2024, projected to top 80 million in 2025, per Business Research Insights. Roughly 29% of the 532 million global esports viewers wagered at least once a month.
The esports and sports gambling market combined was valued at $201.22 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $352.42 billion by 2035 at a 6.4% CAGR. Bettors aged 18 to 24 are nearly twice as likely to bet on sports as older demographics, fueling the segment.
Problem Gambling and Regulatory Concerns
Roughly 1% to 2% of the U.S. adult population meets criteria for gambling addiction, totaling 2 to 4 million people. Another 5 to 9 million show subclinical symptoms, per research published in the Journal of Gambling Studies.
The Siena College survey found 52% of online bettors have “chased” a loss, 37% felt ashamed after losing, and 20% reported trouble meeting financial obligations because of betting. In New Jersey, sports gambling-related calls to the state’s addiction hotline rose from 5% of total calls in 2018 to 25% by 2022.
Among Americans surveyed, 50% support legal online sports betting nationally, but 65% also believe it will produce more compulsive gamblers, and 63% support the proposed SAFE BET Act regulating sportsbook ads, deposit limits, and AI tracking.
FAQs
How big is the global sports betting industry in 2026?
The global sports betting market is valued at $124.88 billion to $125.12 billion in 2026, according to Precedence Research and The Business Research Company. It is projected to reach $325.71 billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 11.24%.
How much did Americans bet on sports in 2025?
Americans legally wagered $166.94 billion on sports in 2025, an 11% increase over 2024. Sportsbook revenue reached a record $16.96 billion, up 22.8%, and state-regulated operators paid $3.71 billion in taxes.
Which sportsbook has the largest U.S. market share?
FanDuel leads the U.S. sports betting market with a 39.6% handle share through February 2026, followed by DraftKings at 35.3%. Together they control roughly 75% of all U.S. sports betting handle.
What percentage of sports bettors are men?
About 69% of U.S. sports bettors are men and 31% are women, per Ipsos and Sports Betting Dime data. Globally the split is roughly 70/30, though female participation is rising in markets like Brazil and France.
Which age group bets on sports the most?
Adults aged 25 to 34 represent the largest share of U.S. sports bettors at 34%, followed by the 35-to-44 group at 31%. Together, bettors aged 25 to 44 make up 65% of all sportsbook users.
For more on the companies behind these numbers, see profiles of DraftKings, Flutter Entertainment, parent of FanDuel, and MGM Resorts International, which co-owns BetMGM. The competitive landscape also includes Caesars Entertainment and Penn Entertainment, which operates ESPN BET. Broader gaming context is covered in our piece on Fanatics, the apparel giant pushing into regulated sportsbooks.
