The NFL season has officially begun, and sportsbook operators are already optimistic about record betting turnouts, with many anticipating a boost from this season alone.
Key Takeaways
- Sportsbooks expect record-breaking betting volumes with the NFL season kickoff
- DraftKings and BetMGM both reported strong momentum
- The AGA also estimates that $30 billion will be wagered during the NFL season
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins told CNBC this week that sportsbooks are looking forward to unprecedented betting volumes as the NFL season kicks off.
Speaking at the Bank of America Gaming and Lodging Conference, he described the league's opening week as the second most important period after the Super Bowl for customer acquisition and overall wagering growth.
He added that DraftKings is already tracking record numbers and expects momentum to continue through the weekend.
Analysts note that operators are seeing reduced customer acquisition costs, even as discretionary consumer spending remains under pressure. Robins stressed that DraftKings has seen no slowdown in engagement, with growth across both revenue and activity levels.
BetMGM is also signaling strength. CEO Adam Greenblatt said last week delivered the company's best-ever revenue results, with pre-season betting volume up 30%.
He highlighted that BetMGM has seen no reduction in bet sizes or player sessions, adding that the operator benefits from cross-selling opportunities as 60% of its sports bettors also participate in online casino gaming.
AGA forecasts $30 billion in NFL betting
The American Gaming Association (AGA) expects NFL fans to wager about $30 billion at regulated sportsbooks across 38 states and the District of Columbia this season. The figure represents an 8.5% increase from last year's total of $27.5 billion.
Bill Miller, AGA President and CEO, said regulated betting ensures stronger consumer protections and that fans should set a responsible game plan before wagering. The forecast covers futures bets, single-game wagers, and Super Bowl odds throughout the pre-season and postseason.
Despite the record projection, the AGA stressed that regulated wagering is only a fraction of the overall betting market. Research indicates Americans stake nearly $674 billion annually with offshore and unregulated operators.
DraftKings eyes expansion into prediction markets
Alongside traditional betting, DraftKings is also exploring entry into the prediction markets sector. According to Front Office Sports, the operator is in talks to acquire Railbird, a federally regulated prediction market and event contract exchange headquartered in New York.
Railbird, founded in 2021, received approval from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in June 2025 to operate as a Designated Contract Market. The platform allows participants to buy and sell contracts on real-world events, with pricing tied to market expectations of specific outcomes.
DraftKings previously applied for a federal license to launch a similar platform before withdrawing its request earlier this year. Railbird's nationwide ambitions could provide DraftKings with an entry point into a new, regulated market segment if a deal is finalized.
