Survey: 20% to bet on SBLVII

About one in every five American adults will contribute to a record-breaking $16 billion in bets on Super Bowl LVII, according to a survey by the American Gaming Association.

The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs meet on Sunday in Glendale, Ariz. The $16 billion estimate would more than double last year’s wagering.

The AGA surveyed 2,199 adults on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 and found that about 20 percent of respondents planned to bet on the game. That works out to about 50 million Americans placing wagers, with 30 million doing so online, at retail sportsbooks or with a bookie — up 66 percent from last year, according to the AGA. Another 28 million plan to casually bet with friends or in a pool. According to the AGA, 57 percent of Americans live in a state with some form of legalized sports betting.

“Every year, the Super Bowl serves to highlight the benefits of legal sports betting: Bettors are transitioning to the protections of the regulated market, leagues and sports media are seeing increased engagement, and legal operators are driving needed tax revenue to states across the country,” said AGA president and CEO Bill Miller in a statement. “Industry investments in responsible gaming continue to resonate.” Bettors are split on the outcome of the Big Game, according to the AGA survey. Both the Chiefs and Eagles were supported by 44 percent of those surveyed, with the other 12 percent undecided. –Field Level Media