Recent research shows an uptick in the NFL’s popularity among the 18-29 age group, and legal sports betting is a significant driving factor.
Young adults are increasingly putting their money on the NFL, as per a survey spearheaded by YouGov. The findings reveal that of those aged 18-29, a notable 21% take part in weekly NFL wagers. In contrast, only 7% of those 30 years and older bet weekly. Even though a higher 56% of the 30+ age bracket spends more annually, it’s the younger fans that show more extremes, with higher percentages betting both under and over $1,000 annually.
In fact, another study by the American Gaming Association echoes this sentiment, highlighting that an estimated 73.5 million Americans will bet on professional football this year. This represents a 56% rise from last year’s numbers.
When it comes to platform preference, young NFL aficionados lean slightly towards DraftKings (21%), with FanDuel a close second at 20%. Bet365 and BetMGM share the third spot with 12% interest, while FOXBet (despite its recent closure) and 888sport both secure 11%. However, Betway, WynnBet, Barstool Sportsbook, and Bally Bet all clocked in under 10% preference. With PENN Entertainment’s recent announcement of transitioning Barstool Sportsbook to ESPN Bet, the betting landscape might witness some shifts.