• Loading stock data...
Sunday, June 1, 2025

Sportsbooks Post Record Numbers During NFL’s Week 1

  • The legal sports betting market posted record numbers in the U.S. this weekend.
  • The record numbers follow the start of the 2021 NFL season.
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks

The legal sports betting market posted record numbers in the U.S. following the start of the 2021 NFL season. 

Beginning with Thursday’s game between the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers through Sunday’s action, 58.2 million online sports betting transactions took place in the U.S., a 126% increase year-over-year, according to GeoComply.

“It’s probably going to be one of our biggest weekends ever,” DraftKings sportsbook director Johnny Avello told ESPN. 

Sportsbooks in 18 states and the District of Columbia benefited from the record-setting stretch. 

  • New Jersey reported the highest volume of transactions (12.5 million) of the 18 states.
  • Arizona saw more than 271,000 new accounts combine for more than 6.1 million transactions. 
  • Nevada’s sports betting handle experienced a 20% increase year-over-year for the four days. 

The NFL has deals with seven sportsbook operators. 

The league’s agreements with Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel are worth close to $1 billion combined, and each spans five years. Last month, the NFL also secured deals with FOX Bet, BetMGM, PointsBet, and WynnBet. 

Pro football isn’t the only lucrative market for sportsbooks. 

Nevada saw its sportsbooks take in 50% more college football action on the Saturday before Labor Day compared to the same period in 2019, according to Jeff Stoneback, director of BetMGM sportsbooks in the state.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
Jan 11, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (15) scores on a pass in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans in an AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.

Why the NFL Isn’t a Sure Bet for Private-Equity Firms

Three teams have gotten PE investments since owners approved the rule change.

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.

Featured Today

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
United States District Court, District of New Jersey. Federal Courthouse in Newark. on Thursday Feb. 11, 2021. Newark Federal Courthouse
April 29, 2025

Kalshi Gains More Legal Momentum With Early New Jersey Win

Kalshi has begun racking up early legal victories as it defends its sports event contracts.
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.
May 9, 2025

DraftKings, FanDuel Interested in Sports Prediction Markets

Sports betting giants are eyeing sports “prediction” markets.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Apr 22, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) shoots the ball over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) during the third quarter of game two of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena.
April 23, 2025

Kalshi’s Offensive Blitz Continues With Suit Against Maryland

Kalshi previously sued regulators in Nevada and New Jersey.
The sun rises behind the New York skyline seen from the Jersey City waterfront on Thursday morning Dec. 10, 2020.
April 22, 2025

N.Y. Sports Betting Faces Major Limits Under New Proposal

Newly proposed legislation would impose daily betting caps and limit advertising.
April 16, 2025

Sports Prediction Markets Still Face Legal Roadblocks

The Wire Act and tribal sovereignty could be the next legal battlegrounds.
April 14, 2025

Bank Says Sports Betting Could Weather Tariff Storm

Lower tax revenues could encourage more states to legalize sports betting.