American Gaming Association projects $29.5B in NFL wagering for 2026

The American Gaming Association (AGA) projects that Americans will wager approximately $29.5 billion on the 2026 NFL season through regulated commercial sportsbooks. This figure represents stagnant growth compared to the $29.4 billion handle recorded during the previous season.

Industry analysts attribute this plateau to the rapid expansion of “prediction markets.” These platforms operate outside the regulatory frameworks of the 40 states where sports betting is legal and bypass laws in the 11 states where it remains prohibited. The AGA noted that sports bets account for about 80% of Kalshi’s volume, with an estimated $5.1 billion coming from users aged 18-20, a demographic below the legal gambling age in most jurisdictions.

In a related perspective on the industry's impact, journalist McKay Coppins detailed his personal experience with gambling addiction during an experiment for The Atlantic. After being given $10,000 to wager over an NFL season for research purposes, Coppins reported losing nearly the entire amount and described the difficulty of stopping, highlighting the psychological risks associated with the sports betting boom.