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50 Sports Betting Statistics for 2025: Growth, Trends, and Market Insights

by Docsports.com - 6/10/2025

Sports betting statistics Xavier Worthy Kansas City Chiefs

Sports betting is booming worldwide, with the market projected to reach over $180 billion by 2030. This surge is driven by easier access to online and mobile platforms, evolving regulations, and changing consumer habits. This statistics roundup presents the latest data and trends shaping the industry in 2024–2025.

Sports Betting Market Size & Growth

1. Since the repeal of PASPA in 2018, almost $494 billion has been legally wagered in the US.

2. In 2025 (to date), the US handle stands at $46.3 billion, with $4.18 billion in gross revenue and a 9.0% hold.

3. For 2024, the US recorded a handle of $148.7 billion, gross revenue of $13.6 billion, and a 9.2% hold.

4. The number of legal sports betting states in the US reached 36 in 2023, up from 32 in 2021.

5. One in five Americans (20%) placed a sports bet in the past 12 months, according to a 2024 survey.

6. Online gaming revenue (including sports betting) in the US expanded by 15.3% in Q1 2025.

Market Segments & Demographics

7. Worldwide Online sports betting is estimated at $53.8 billion in 2025 and is forecasted to reach $93.3 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 11.65%

8. The number of global sports betting users is projected to reach 231.9 million by 2029.

9. European football (soccer) generates over 40% of global online sports betting revenue, making it the top sport worldwide.

10. The European esports betting market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 11.39% from 2024 to 2032, reflecting rapid adoption and increasing engagement from younger demographics, especially Gen Z and millennials

Historical US Sports Betting Handle, Revenue & Hold

This table shows the rapid growth of the US sports betting market since legalization, with total handle, gross revenue, and hold percentage rising each year. From just $6.6 billion in handle and $0.44 billion in revenue in 2018, the market surged to $148.7 billion in handle and $13.6 billion in revenue by 2024, while the average hold percentage increased from 6.7% to over 9%

Industry Trends

Artificial intelligence and machine learning

11. In 2024, approximately 70% of leading global sports betting operators reported integrating AI-driven analytics for personalized betting recommendations and real-time odds adjustments (industry estimate).

12. AI-powered tools have been shown to increase user engagement by up to 25% compared to platforms without such features (industry estimate).

Mobile and online platforms

13. In 2024, 78% of all online sports bets globally were placed via mobile devices.

14. Among bettors aged 18–34, over 85% reported using mobile apps as their primary platform for sports betting.

15. Online gaming revenue (including sports betting) in the US grew by 15.3% in Q1 2025.

Regulatory relaxation and new markets

16. Since 2018, 38 US states plus DC and Puerto Rico have legalized sports betting, with 30 states allowing online betting as of 2025.

17. Latin America’s regulated sports betting market grew by 19% year-over-year in 2024, with Brazil and Argentina leading new market entries.

18. Africa’s online sports betting market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12.5% from 2024 to 2029, driven by regulatory changes in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

Media partnerships, celebrity endorsements, and sponsorships:

19. In 2024, over $1.2 billion was spent globally by sports betting operators on media partnerships and sponsorships with major sports leagues and events.

20. 60% of the top 20 global sports betting brands featured celebrity endorsements or athlete partnerships in their 2024 marketing campaigns.

21. Sponsorship deals between betting companies and European football clubs alone were valued at over $400 million in 2024.

Betting Statistics by Sport

Global Overview

22. European football (soccer) generates over 40% of global online sports betting revenue, making it the top sport worldwide.

23. Baseball accounts for approximately 12% of global sports betting revenue, with strong markets in the US and Japan.

24. Basketball represents about 10% of global sports betting activity, with significant growth in both the US and international markets.

25. Horse racing contributes roughly 15% of global sports betting turnover, remaining a major market in the UK, Australia, and parts of Asia.

26. Cricket betting makes up around 8% of global sports betting revenue, driven by markets in the UK, India, and Australia.

27. Ice hockey accounts for about 3% of global sports betting revenue, with notable activity in North America and Europe.

United States: Sports Betting by Sport

28. Football (NFL and college) accounted for approximately 34% of all US sports betting handle in 2024.

29. Basketball (NBA and college) made up about 28% of the total US sports betting handle in 2024.

30. Baseball (MLB) represented 15% of the US sports betting handle in 2024.

31. The Super Bowl LVIII in 2024 saw over $23 billion wagered, making it the single most-bet event in US history.

32. March Madness 2024 generated over $15.5 billion in wagers, ranking as the second-largest annual betting event in the US.

33. Esports betting in the US grew by over 20% year-over-year in 2024, with total wagers estimated at $2.5 billion.

34. The average bet size in US legal sportsbooks is under $50.

35. The Super Bowl is the most-bet sporting event in the US each year, with over $23 billion wagered on Super Bowl LVIII in 2024.

36. March Madness (NCAA basketball) is the second-largest US sports betting event by handle.

Market Share Insights

37. In Europe, football (soccer) accounts for nearly 50% of all sports betting revenue.

38. In the UK, horse racing generated £4.7 billion in betting turnover in 2024.

39. In Australia, horse racing accounted for AU$27 billion in turnover in 2024, about 40% of the national betting market.

40. Tennis betting comprised 7% of global sports betting revenue in 2024, with in-play betting particularly popular.

Trends by Sport

41. In-play/live betting accounted for over 60% of all online football (soccer) bets placed in Europe in 2024.

42. Parlay bets made up 22% of all US sportsbook handle in 2024, with an average hold rate exceeding 15%.

43. Mobile betting accounted for 78% of all online sports bets placed globally in 2024, with football, basketball, and baseball leading mobile activity.

Other Notable Stats

44. The average hold percentage for US sportsbooks has risen from 6.7% in 2018 to over 9% in 2024–2025.

45. Taxes collected from sports betting in the US reached $2.8 billion in 2024.

46. The market is expected to continue expanding as more states legalize sports betting and technology adoption increases.

47. The majority of sports bets worldwide are placed via mobile devices, with mobile betting accounting for over 70% of online wagers.

48. The UK remains one of the largest regulated sports betting markets, with over £14 billion in annual handle.

49. Parlay bets (multiple outcomes) have higher sportsbook hold rates, often exceeding 15%.

50. The fastest-growing segment is esports betting, projected to grow at over 13% CAGR through 2030.

Sources

  • Sportsbook Review: US Betting Revenue Tracker

  • American Gaming Association: Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker

  • NerdWallet: 2025 Sports Betting and Gambling Survey

  • GlobeNewswire: Online Sports Betting Industry Outlook 2025–2030

  • Covers: Betting Revenue Tracker

  • NewsBytes: Sports Betting Market News

  • PR Newswire: Sports Betting Market Share & Growth

  • Grand View Research: Sports Betting Market Size & Share Report

  • Casino Reports: US Sports Betting Market Stats Database

  • Statista: Gambling/Sports Betting Market Outlook

  • Industry estimates and analysis

 

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