Wagering on the Super Bowl for this Sunday’s major matchup between the two-time reigning NFL champion Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles is anticipated to produce unprecedented legal bets.
With sports wagering legalized and functioning in 38 states and Washington, DC, the American Gaming Association (AGA) anticipates that licensed bookmakers will handle nearly $1.4 billion in wagers for Super Bowl LIX. That’s roughly $150 million higher than the AGA's projection for 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 association advocating for its commercial and tribal gaming members to the federal government and state legislatures nationwide, claims that a regulated sports betting market encourages responsible engagement, protects consumers, and fosters economic development. The AGA contends that regulated gaming harms illegal offshore and underground betting activities; however, in terms of sports wagering, the illicit sector continues to thrive.
Sports Wagering Sites Continue to Thrive
The AGA anticipates that this Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX will witness a record-breaking $1.39 billion in legal wagers placed on the NFL championship match. Although a historic number of sports bettors is anticipated to engage with a legal, regulated sportsbook, whether online or in-person, the illicit market remains robust.
In previous years, the AGA offered Super Bowl betting estimates that included both legal and illegal avenues. For last year's matchup, the trade association projected that an all-time high of 68 million individuals in the United States would wager over $23.1 billion on Super Bowl LVIII featuring the Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
The optimistic predictions emerged even though both teams hailed from states where sports betting was still banned. Missouri authorized sports betting last year via a statewide ballot measure, but operations are set to commence this summer.
Philadelphia hails from one of the most affluent states for legal sports gambling. With the Chiefs vying for a three-peat, marking a historic first in the Super Bowl era, there is a surge in betting excitement.
The most recent team to capture three consecutive NFL championships was the Green Bay Packers, who secured the 1965 NFL Championship and then won Super Bowls I and II in the subsequent two years.
Super Bowl Betting Lines
Only five days remain until Super Bowl LIX starts at 6:30 pm EST from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, with the Chiefs still holding a small betting edge over the Eagles.
Kansas City is favored by 1.5 points at most sportsbooks, such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM, and ESPN Bet. Supporters of the Chiefs can discover slightly improved odds at Caesars Sportsbook, where KC is favored by just a point.
Regarding the moneyline, the majority of sportsbooks list Kansas City at -120 and Philadelphia at +100. The total points over/under is set between 48.5 and 49. Many sportsbooks feature a variety of prop bets, including the outcome of the coin toss and the color of Gatorade splashed on the victorious coach.
