Live spectator sports have been ingrained into American culture for decades. Not only has interest in sports been tied to the art of competition, but sports are also viewed as an avenue of entertainment.
At a macro level, the love and interest of sports generate billions of dollars in revenue in forms such as merchandise, ticket sales, and even TV or viewing contract rights.
Recently, sports betting has become both a revenue driver as well as a piece of American culture.
Knowing that we’ve surveyed over 450 people to collect recent online sports betting statistics. According to our research:
- Just under half of all American adults have placed at least one sports wager in the past year (46%)
- 31% of American sports bettors place at least 1 wager per week
- Basketball is the most preferred sport to bet on in the United States (53%)
- Over 1 in 2 sports bettors prefer to place wagers on DraftKings (57%)
- Live-bet (in-game) is the most popular type of bet to place on sporting events for 32% of people
For further analysis, we broke down the data in the following ways:
General Statistics | Online Sports Betting | In-Person Sports Betting | Trends | Predictions | Demographics
General Sports Betting Statistics
- Just under half of all American adults have placed at least one sports wager in the past year (46%)
This surge can be attributed to various factors, including the expansion of online betting platforms, increased advertising and media coverage of sports betting, and the legalization of sports gambling in several states. - 31% of American sports bettors place a wager at least once a week
This frequent activity could indicate a strong interest in sports gambling among a significant segment of the population, potentially contributing to the growth and sustainability of the sports betting industry.
Our survey also revealed that 10% of people place sports betting wagers daily while 16% of sports bettors place a wager a few times a week. Less common answers included a few times a month (6%) and once every couple of months (4%). - The top 5 most popular sports to bet on in the United States include basketball (53%), soccer (51%), and football (46%)
The top three most bet-on sports in the United States reflect the nation's deep-rooted passion for these games and the widespread appeal of sports betting in general. Additionally, other popular sports to bet on according to our survey included baseball (22%), tennis (21%), horse racing (20%), golf (17%), motorsports (12%), hockey (11%), and mixed martial arts (8%).
- Over 3 in 5 people factor in team/player performance statistics when deciding which sports bets to place (63%)
Our sports betting survey also revealed that many people consider betting odds and market trends (58%) when making a sports bet. Other top factors included recommendations from influencers, insiders, experts, etc. (48%), recommendations from friends and family members (48%), historical head-to-head matchups (47%), and injury reports and team news.
Online Sports Betting Statistics
- 3 in 4 sports bettors prefer making wagers online or via a mobile app (75%)
The growing preference for online or mobile app betting among three-quarters of sports bettors indicates a significant shift in the gambling industry towards digital platforms, offering convenience, accessibility, and potentially contributing to the overall increase in sports betting activity worldwide.
- Convenience (78%) and easy deposits (75%) are the top reasons people prefer online/mobile sports betting
These top factors highlight the importance of user-friendly and seamless platforms in the gambling industry. These factors not only attract more bettors but also contribute to increased customer retention and engagement, shaping the future landscape of sports betting toward digital channels.
According to our survey, other popular answers as to why people prefer online sports betting include rewards/promotions (63%), more betting options (63%), and no in-person options near me (21%). - Draft Kings is the most preferred website/app to place online sports bets (57%)
Draft Kings' dominant position as the most preferred website/app for online sports betting, highlights the company's successful brand recognition, user-friendly interface, and potentially attractive bonuses or rewards. Such a significant market share suggests that Draft Kings has effectively captured a substantial portion of the online betting market, positioning itself as a leading player in the competitive online gambling industry.
Other top online sports betting platforms survey respondents preferred include FOX Bet (50%), FanDuel (45%), BetMGM Sportsbook (41%), PointsBet (41%), BetRivers (35%), WynnBET (31%), Caesars Sportsbook (29%), and Barstool Sportsbook (23%).
- FanDuel is the sports betting site most preferred by those with a household income of $50K or less (50%)
This statistic indicates that FanDuel has successfully tapped into an underserved market segment, catering to the preferences and financial constraints of lower-income bettors, which could be a key driver of their market success and continued growth.
In-Person Sports Betting Statistics
- 25% of sports bettors prefer making wagers in person
Despite the rising popularity of online and mobile sports betting, a notable 25% of sports bettors still prefer making wagers in person. This preference suggests that certain segments of the betting population value the social aspect, the thrill of being at a physical sportsbook or casino, and the immediate interaction with betting staff and fellow bettors, even in an increasingly digital age. - Social experience (58%) and easier-to-control finances (51%) are the top reasons people prefer in-person sports betting
This highlights the value individuals place on the communal aspect of betting, such as interacting with friends, fellow bettors, and the vibrant atmosphere of a sportsbook or casino.
Additionally, the appeal of easier-to-control finances (51%) suggests that some bettors feel more accountable and disciplined with their wagers when they can physically manage their money, as opposed to the potentially less tangible nature of online betting where spending limits might be easier to surpass.
Other reasons people prefer in-person sports betting includes transactional experience (46%), mobile betting is not available in my state (31%), and not trusting online/mobile betting (27%). - Men are over 2 times more likely to bet in person because of the transactional experience
Our survey found that men (59%) carry more emphasis on transactional experiences (i.e. physically placing bets, cashing out) than women (26%) when it comes to drivers to in-person sports betting. For men, the transactional experience is almost as enticing to bet in person as the social experience (61%). - Those with a HHI of $150,000 or more prefer to bet in person because of the transaction experience compared to any other income level (73%)
This is likely influenced by the transaction experience associated with higher financial capacity. These bettors may find the process of wagering in person more appealing due to factors like larger bet sizes, personalized service, and the opportunity for exclusive perks, creating a sense of luxury and elevated betting experience that aligns with their higher income level.
- Sports betting industry posts $1.68B profit in Q3 2022
Although California rejected legalized sports betting on Election Day 2022, the industry is perhaps stronger than ever. In fact, the industry posted its most profitable quarter ever in Q3 2022 at $1.68B, beating the previous high set in Q1 2022 of $1.62B. The Q3 figure also represents an 81% increase year over year. - Where sports betting is legal
Sports betting is currently legal in 33 states including Washington DC. Currently, 6 states (Hawaii, Minnesota, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas, and Vermont) have active legislation and/or ballot initiatives introduced for legalization that would allow sports betting by the end of 2023.
Image Source: American Gaming
- Sports betting revenue is set to grow 10% annually following US legalization
Since the United States Supreme Court legalized sports betting in 2018, online sports betting companies have flourished. Online sports betting revenue is expected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% over the next 5 years – with Kansas, Ohio, and Maryland legalizing online/mobile sports betting options in the past year. - Convenience of online sports betting drives growth with 70% of wagers placed on mobile
Mobile sports betting has been a key driver that has pushed overall sports betting growth. It has revolutionized the way people engage with sports betting platforms, as they can place bets from any place at any time. The convenience and accessibility of mobile sports betting have had a direct impact on the bottom line. Case in point, in 2020, 62% of all online gambling consisted of sports betting. Of that 62%, about 70% of all wagers were placed from mobile devices.
- AI will have a game-changing influence
The introduction of AI (artificial intelligence) in sports betting will undoubtedly have a profound impact on the industry. One example is the way systems record information in digitized ledgers, also known as blockchain, which is being adopted globally. Blockchain applications will help automate real-time data, expedite payments and wagers, and provide in-the-moment security and monitoring – including cryptocurrency transactions. - eSports betting is on the rise with global revenue expected to surpass $20B by 2027
eSports, also known as competitive video gaming between teams or individuals, has grown in popularity over the past few years to an estimated worldwide audience of more than a half billion people. Currently, there is no federal legislation in place to regulate eSports betting.
However, 4 states (Nevada, New Jersey, Tennessee, and West Virginia) have legalized eSports betting formats in place. Currently, about 4% of all global sports betting revenue comes in the form of eSports betting. Total eSports wagers are expected to top $20B by the end of 2027. - Growing legalization, soaring revenue, and projected multi-billion dollar market by 2032
The sports betting marketplace grew 10-fold from 2019 to 2021 while netting nearly $7B in revenue from $83B in total bets placed on sports in 2022. Another report by marketdecipher.com revealed similar findings. In fact, their estimate of $85B in bets placed last year is forecasted to balloon to $288B total by the end of 2032. - We will see more virtual reality sports betting platforms in the near future
Virtual reality sports betting took a step forward with the launch of the VR22 sports betting platform last October. The service allows users to take in a 360-degree live gaming experience as if they were there in person. Users can interact with the game or match in real time including the ability to place wagers down to a specific play – and even purchase merchandise or NFTs.
Online Sports Betting Demographics
Studies show sports bettors tend to skew younger, male, and affluent.
Nearly half (45%) are aged 23 to 34, while 69% are male. More than half (53%) have a BA degree or higher, and 2 in 3 have an income of $50k+. Of 234M adults aged 21+, 39% or about 92 million represent the total sports betting opportunity in the United States.
According to our research, other interesting statistics on how sports betting varies across demographics include:
- Women (34%) most prefer single-game wagers, while men (33%) most prefer live, in-game wagers when betting on sporting events
- While women most prefer online betting, they are more like to bet in person (32%) than men (22%)
- In the past year, 72% of women have not placed a sports bet, while only 33% of men have not made a wager on a sporting event
- People with HHI of $100K+ primarily bet on soccer, while people with HHIs of $50K to $99K primarily bet on basketball, and people with HHIs of less than $50K primarily bet on American football
- The Silent Generation most prefer to place online sports bets on FanDuel (56%), while all other generations prefer DraftKings
- Millennials primarily bet on soccer (65%), while Baby Boomers (64%) and Gen X (55%) primarily bet on American Football, and Gen Z primarily bets on basketball
Survey Background & Methodology
Figures in this sports betting market research report are drawn from an online survey conducted by Drive Research to better understand sports bettors. Drive Research is a national market research company based in Syracuse, NY.
The survey took up to 10 minutes to complete and included 36 questions. The survey received 465 responses from those who have placed a sports bet in the past twelve (12) months. Fieldwork for the survey ended in July 2023.
Other sources included:
Download the 2023 Sports Betting Report
Dozens of new statistics and insights to help casinos, sports betting sites, and agencies learn practical and relevant information to improve decision-making. Plus, the full report breaks down survey results by various demographics such as age, gender, ethnicity, income, and region.
Contact Our Market Research Company
Drive Research is a full-service market research company based in New York. Well-versed in both local and national market research efforts, our team navigates a wide range of industries with ease. Our services range from quantitative to qualitative methodologies such as customer surveys, employee surveys, PR surveys, and focus groups.
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Emily Rodgers
A SUNY Cortland graduate, Emily has taken her passion for social and content marketing to Drive Research as the Marketing Manager. She has earned certificates for both Google Analytics and Google AdWords.
Learn more about Emily, here.
