Earlier this year, a record 67.8 million American adults bet on the Super Bowl, more than a quarter of the U.S. adult population and a 35% increase from the previous year, according to the American Gaming Association.
For 25 years, sports betting was banned outside of Nevada, but in 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act. In the six years since, sports betting has quickly become one of the most popular forms of gambling. Currently, 38 states and Washington, D.C. allow betting online or in person.
Sports betting may be similar to betting on basketball games or betting on horse races. According to The Washington Post, sports betting is the fastest growing source of state tax revenue. Tax revenue from sports betting helps state coffers for road and highway construction, public education, law enforcement, anti-gambling programs, and more.
Here are the states that receive the most tax revenue from legal sports betting:
How much revenue does each state make from sports betting?
At the end of last year, New York state brought in $260 million in tax revenue from legal sports betting, more than any other state in the fourth quarter, according to the Census Bureau’s quarterly summary of state and local tax revenues.
The Northeast reported greater amounts of revenue from sports betting than other regions in the country.
According to the Washington Post, taxes on sports betting have increased fourfold since 2021.
Which states are putting the most money on the line?
New Jersey has had the most amount of money wagered on sports betting, totaling a reported $51.6 billion, since 2018. In 2021, New Jersey surpassed Nevada (home to Las Vegas, a city notorious for its gambling associations) in total amount wagered.
According to Regal Sports Reports, operators generated $30 billion in total revenue from more than $360 billion in bets.
The following states have the highest sports betting volume:
The rise of sports betting is a money tree.Are states doing enough to curb gambling addiction?
Who bets money on sports?
About 26% of Americans have bet on sports, and 10% have bet money online, according to a YouGov survey.
Men are more likely to bet on sports than women, with 35% saying they have bet money on sporting events. Hispanic and white adults are also more likely to bet money on sporting events than black adults.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Follow the laws in your area.
