Super Bowl 2026 Betting Handle Expected to Set New Record

Licensed US sportsbooks are expected to handle around $1.76 billion in wagers on Super Bowl LX, nearly a 27% increase year-over-year, according to a report by the American Gaming Association (AGA). 

The figure covers only bets placed with legal US sportsbooks, including the best sports betting sites, and the AGA bases its projections on publicly reported data from state gaming regulators, which it describes as a potential record for the event.

The AGA’s report closely aligns with projections released earlier in the week by the Sports Betting Alliance, which represents many sportsbook operators, which forecasted a handle of $1.71 billion. 

However, not all analysts shared the same outlook. Jordan Bender, Equity Analyst for Citizens, projected a 2% year-over-year decline in Super Bowl betting handle, suggesting a perceived lack of compelling narratives about the teams, despite the presence of star athletes and high-profile celebrity interest. Additionally, there is increasing competition from platforms offering sports prediction markets that have already seen substantial trading volumes on the event.

Prediction market apps have also continued to gain visibility ahead of the Super Bowl. Kalshi, a leading platform, allows customers to trade contracts on yes-or-no outcomes of events, including sports events. More than $79 million was traded on the AFC Championship Game winner on Kalshi last week. 

Despite that competition, traditional sportsbook betting activity remained strong in established markets. New York sports betting customers wagered a record $26.3 billion in 2025, nearly 15% more than last year. 

Sports betting advertising also remains part of the Super Bowl landscape. However, no prediction market operators were expected to advertise during the game due to the NFL’s continued opposition to the markets. 

Early line movement and high-dollar wagers

While industrywide projections pointed to record wagering totals, individual bets and early line movement also drew attention in the days following the conference championships. Circa Sports in Las Vegas accepted a $1.1 million wager on the New England Patriots to win the Super Bowl, signaling early confidence in the team, despite their underdog status. 

The bet was placed at odds of +188, which would return nearly $2.1 million in winnings, plus the original stake, if New England pulled the upset.

The Patriots opened as 3.5-point underdogs on most sportsbooks after the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship Game. Within two days, the line shifted across most sportsbooks, with Seattle now favored by 4.5 points at some of the best sports betting apps.

The movement appeared to be driven in part by speculation surrounding Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. Reports circulated that Maye may have suffered a shoulder injury during the AFC Championship Game against the Denver Broncos. 

He completed ten passes in that contest and generated more production as a runner than as a passer. If those injury concerns were later disproven, sportsbooks could adjust the line again closer to kickoff.