The upcoming Super Bowl could help determine the future of sports betting in many prominent countries. [Image: Shutterstock.com]
Super Bowl to pay sports betting
The spread of sports betting in the United States, in its four-and-a-half year life, has proven inevitable. Sportsbooks have been launched in 31 states and are set to appear in five more, live commentators read betting odds during matches, and media giants are now broadcasting shows dedicated to gambling.
The crown jewel of American sports betting is the Super Bowl. One would assume that states would pool their sports betting markets in the best way in anticipation of the Super Bowl, but this has been proven incorrect in recent years.
Is it possible for states to be forced to pass legislation
With five of the top ten contenders to reach this year’s Super Bowl coming from states that do not have legal sports betting, is it possible that states could be forced to pass legislation they have thus far opposed?
Take center stage
The Super Bowl regularly produces amazing viewership and fan engagement numbers.
The American Toy Association estimated that Americans will bet $7.6 billion on the Super Bowl in 2022nearly 80% up from Super Bowl LV in 2021. Many states later reported record totals for daily and monthly pot totals thanks to the big game.
Two states absent from the record-breaking festivities were California and Ohio, who each had a representative in the game. California also hosted the Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium, leading them to miss out on what could have been the biggest payday in sports betting history.
As of October 2022, sports betting in America has generated $69.5 billion
Even without many of the largest US states, both in terms of population and financial clout, including California, Texas and Florida, sports betting has grown to gigantic levels. Through October 2022, sports betting in America generated $69.5 billion in the handle, including $5.4 billion in revenue and $1.2 billion in government taxes.
Several states have drafted and passed legalization since their last tournament game in February, but there are still a few notable absentees who could face the brunt of the consequences in just a few months.
Local pressure based on team performance
As mentioned earlier, five of the ten favorites to achieve the Super Bowl are from states that do not have legal sports betting markets. This includes San Francisco 49ers (California), Kansas City Chiefs (Missouri), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Florida), Dallas Cowboys (Texas), and Miami Dolphins (Florida).
according to Sports handleCalifornia bettors could bet up to $300 million on the previous Super Bowl game, and California and Ohio could each bet more than $400 million on the matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and Cincinnati Bengals. This would have resulted in $21 million in revenue for the California operators and $2.1 million in state taxes.
This year’s Super Bowl may not be in California like it was last year, but it is in nearby Arizona and will certainly attract a group of California travelers. The 49ers also have more home fans than the Rams, which could lead to a higher turnout on sportsbooks.
The most watched regular season football game of all time
Dolphins and cowboys also come from influential parts of the country. The latter specifically is a darling rating, having combined with the New York Giants on Thanksgiving to produce the most watched regular season football game of all time.
The Chiefs are somewhat buried in the Midwest, but they are one of the most exciting and popular teams in the league. It’s also hampered by Missouri laws that prevent sportsbookers from accepting bets, while other Midwestern states have recently passed or proposed legalization efforts.
It’s a stretch to expect states to base their sports betting future entirely on the weight of the Super Bowl, but it’s no stretch to say they could face enormous pressure based on what this year’s game produces.
