According to the American Gaming Association, a record 31.4 million American adults are expected to wager on this year’s Super Bowl, while California and Ohio may miss out on up to $400 million in wagering revenue. According to the AGA, this sum is a 31% year-on-year increase, with the group also estimating that bettors will stake an estimated $7.61 billion on this year’s NFL championship, up $3.33 billion (78%) from last year.

Biggest Super Bowl for online gambling

In addition, a study indicates that 18.2 million American adults will put traditional sports wagers online (+78%), 18.5 million will wager informally with friends (+23%), and 76% believe it is critical for them to wager through a licensed operator (+11%). Additionally, 55% of respondents want to wager on the Los Angeles Rams, compared to 45% on the Cincinnati Bengals. It was noted that 106 million American adults (41%) recall advertising connected to responsible gaming from the previous year, an increase of 32 million (12%) from 2020. The proliferation of legal options around the country not only safeguards fans and the integrity of games and wagers, but also serves as a warning to illicit operators that their time is running out.

Sports Handle calculations indicate that up to $400 million might have been risked on Super Bowl LVI in California and Ohio, if sports betting had been legal in each region. According to the group, handling in California could have reached $300 million with total gaming revenue of $21 million, netting $2.1 million in tax income on a single event. In Ohio, where Bengals supporters will witness their first Super Bowl appearance since 1989, handling may have exceeded $100 million, with gross gaming income of up to $7 million and tax revenue of up to $700,000. 

Rams vs Bengals

The Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals will square off in the Super Bowl in California at the former’s Sofi Stadium, following their respective conference championships last weekend.

The Bengals advanced to the Super Bowl by defeating the then-favorites Kansas City Chiefs in overtime and on neutral ground, 24-27, just two years after posting the NFL’s worst record. Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 20-17, courtesy of a final quarter surge of 13 unanswered points.