• Loading stock data...
Thursday, January 8, 2026

U.S. Sportsbooks Get Huge Boost From Super Bowl

  • GeoComply verified 100 million sports-betting transactions this Super Bowl weekend — a 25% increase from last year.
  • Several American sportsbooks reported milestones as a result of the increased traffic.
Patrick Breen/The Republic/USA TODAY NETWORK

With 50 million Americans projected to bet $16 billion on the Super Bowl across legal and extralegal channels, it’s no surprise that sportsbooks were very active on Sunday.

GeoComply, which verifies bettors’ locations on behalf of legal sportsbooks, registered 100 million sports-betting transactions this Super Bowl weekend — a 25% increase from last year.

Several American sportsbooks reported milestones as a result of the increased traffic.

  • FanDuel averaged 2 million active users on its platform throughout the Kansas City Chiefs’ 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, and was taking a record 50,000 bets per second at its peak.
  • DraftKings paid out $2.68 million to one bettor who wagered $1.68 million on the Chiefs’ moneyline.
  • MGM Resorts says it had the highest Super Bowl betting handle in company history for the state of Nevada, including money wagered at its nine retail sportsbooks on the Las Vegas Strip and on its BetMGM app.

“This was BetMGM’s most successful Super Bowl and most-bet-on single game sporting event ever,” a company spokesperson said.

View of Super Bowl LVII signage and a Draft Kings billboard

Over 50M Americans Projected to Bet $16B on Super Bowl

The growth of legal sports betting in states is encouraging more bettors.
February 7, 2023

Next Year

The countdown to Super Bowl LVIII is already on — and given it’ll take place in the sports betting capital of the world, the handles are only bound to increase.

As for who could be taking home the Lombardi Trophy next year in Las Vegas, the books are already favoring a repeat: At DraftKings, the Chiefs opened as +600 favorites to win it all again — while the Eagles opened at +900, the fifth-best odds.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 13, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Demond Williams Jr. (2) is forced out of bounds by Boise State Broncos defensive back Jeremiah Earby (6) after a catching a pass in the second half of the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium.

Washington Considers Suing Former QB Demond Williams

Washington wants to hold Williams accountable for certain buyout provisions.
opinion

The New Brady Rules: Why NFL QBs Turned TV Talents Are Double-Dipping

Tom Brady started it, and now other NFL TV stars want dual gigs.

CFP Coaches Thriving—and Cashing In—As Nick Saban Disciples

Head coaches of the four remaining CFP teams had stints under Nick Saban.
Dec 31, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Jaden Wilkerson (71) walks off the field after the 2025 Cotton Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at AT&T Stadium.

ACC Only Power Conference Giving CFP Teams 100% of Payout

Big Ten, Big 12 share distributions equally; SEC has a hybrid model.

Featured Today

Hockey in Florida Was Once a Risk. Now It’s Thriving

The state of Florida has become a traditional—and highly lucrative—market.
Dec 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) reacts after scoring a basket against the Detroit Pistons during the second half at Crypto.com Arena
January 4, 2026

Why Pro Sports Team Valuations Will Keep Climbing in 2026

Asset scarcity and increasing media-rights deals underpin soaring valuations.
Imagn Images/Front Office Sports
January 2, 2026

FOS Crystal Ball: Predictions for the Business of Sports in 2026

Here’s what FOS journalists think could be on the horizon.
Heated Rivalry (L to R) - Connor Storrie as Ilya Rozanov and Hudson Williams as Shane Hollander in Episode 104 of Heated Rivalry. Cr. Sabrina Lantos © 2025
December 24, 2025

Hockey Needed Some Virality. Then Came ‘Heated Rivalry’

No one was prepared for the Canadian show’s smash success.
Prediction markets

Prediction Markets Exploded in 2025. What Comes Next?

After 2025’s prediction-markets mania, the dust may start to settle in 2026.
December 30, 2025

Sportsbooks Sue to Stop Chicago’s New Licensing Requirement

DraftKings, FanDuel, and others are crying foul over last-minute budget additions.
December 30, 2025

ESPN Employee Didn’t Violate Rules in $1 Million DraftKings Win

ESPN researcher Mackenzie Kraemer didn’t break company rules, a source told FOS.
Sponsored

ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025: Inside the Technology Shaping the Future of..

At ESPN Edge Innovation Conference 2025, ESPN showcased how AI, immersive tech, and a rebuilt direct-to-consumer platform are redefining the future of sports media.
December 30, 2025

Why Polymarket Has Avoided Legal Pushback So Far

Regulators have taken a wait-and-see approach since Polymarket’s U.S. relaunch.
Emmanuel Clase
December 26, 2025

2025 Was the Year of Sports Gambling Scandals

Gambling scandals across pro and college sports went mainstream in 2025.
Dec 20, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Andre Burakovsky (28) celebrates with center Ryan Greene (20) his goal scored in the second period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre.
exclusive
December 23, 2025

Blackhawks Are First Pro Team to Make Direct Deal With Kalshi

The deal builds on Kalshi’s existing partnership with the NHL.
A view of the FanDuel Sportsbook betting area at Belterra Park Cincinnati.
December 22, 2025

FanDuel Joins Prediction-Market Fray As New App Goes Live

FanDuel Predicts is live in five states.