The Most Popular and Profitable Sports Leagues To Bet On

Legal sports betting in the United States pulled in $149.6 billion in wagers during 2024. That figure represents a 23.5% increase from the $121.1 billion wagered in 2023, according to industry data. Sportsbooks kept $13.7 billion of that total as gross revenue, and state governments collected $2.8 billion in taxes. These numbers come from a market that operates legally in 38 states plus Washington, D.C.

The American Gaming Association's State of the States 2025 report confirms the commercial gaming industry hit $71.9 billion in total revenue for 2024, marking a fourth consecutive year of record results. Mobile sports betting drove much of this growth, with Americans placing $147.9 billion through legal operators.

Bettors looking for profitable leagues have several options. Some leagues attract more money because of their fan bases, while others offer better lines or more betting markets. The following breakdown covers where the money goes and why certain leagues dominate the handle.

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Football Owns the American Market

The NFL generates the highest betting revenue of any sport in the United States. The American Gaming Association projected that American adults would bet $35 billion with legal sportsbooks throughout the 2024 NFL season. This was the AGA's first legal wagering estimate for an entire league season.

Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024 attracted 68 million American bettors. Research group RG.org reported that these bettors wagered $23.1 billion on the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Nevada sportsbooks alone took $185.6 million in Super Bowl bets, breaking the state record of $179.8 million set in 2022. The Nevada Gaming Control Board confirmed a 21.2% increase in Super Bowl wagering from the previous year.

Football betting works well for bettors because of the schedule structure. Games happen on predictable days, and the week between matchups allows time for research. Point spreads remain the most common bet type, although player props and game totals continue to grow in popularity.

Stretching Your Bankroll Across League Seasons

The NFL season runs 18 weeks. March Madness spans three weeks. The IPL lasts two months. Bettors who spread wagers across multiple leagues face longer exposure periods, which means managing funds carefully becomes necessary. Saving money when betting on sports often involves using welcome offers from sportsbooks, bonus codes, or setting strict weekly limits to maintain a bankroll through extended seasons.

Sportsbook promotions tend to spike around major events like the Super Bowl or NCAA tournament. Operators compete for customers during these windows, which creates opportunities to stretch betting capital without increasing risk.

March Madness Pulls Bigger Numbers Than the Super Bowl

College basketball's NCAA tournament generates more betting action than any single event in America. According to ESPN, an estimated $3.1 billion will be wagered on the 2025 men's and women's tournaments. That represents a nearly 15% year-over-year increase and more than doubles the betting on the Super Bowl.

The tournament format creates this demand. Sixty-eight teams compete in single-elimination games over three weeks. Upsets happen frequently, and the bracket structure encourages both casual and serious bettors to participate. Bracket pools, while technically a separate category, feed into the overall interest.

CBS News reported that U.S. bettors wagered more than $2.72 billion on the 2024 tournaments. The structure of the event — with games running from morning to night for several consecutive days — keeps bettors engaged throughout.

State Markets Show Where Money Concentrates

New York led all states in 2024 with $22.7 billion in sports betting handle. That was an 18.3% increase from 2023. The state also ranked first in revenue at $2 billion, up 23% year-over-year.

Illinois finished second in revenue at $1.2 billion, passing New Jersey for the first time. Covers reported that Illinois generated $14 billion in total handle during 2024. The state's mobile betting launch in 2022 contributed to rapid growth.

These two states demonstrate how population density and mobile access affect betting volume. Both allow online wagering, and both contain major metropolitan areas with multiple professional sports teams.

Global Soccer Dominates Worldwide Wagering

Outside the United States, soccer accounts for the largest share of betting handle. Statista reported that soccer made up around half of total sports betting handle worldwide, with approximately 60% of bets wagered in Asia going to soccer alone.

Grand View Research valued the global football betting segment at $29.4 billion in 2024. Projections suggest it will reach $59.8 billion by 2030, growing at a 12.7% compound annual rate. IMARC Group data shows football holding 25.4% of the sports betting market share globally.

The European online sports betting market reached $17.14 billion in 2024. Grand View Research reported that Europe accounts for roughly 48% of global sports betting revenue. Leagues like the English Premier League, La Liga, and the UEFA Champions League draw consistent betting interest year-round.

Cricket and the IPL Create Massive Seasonal Spikes

The Indian Premier League represents the largest cricket betting event of the year. Entain Group analysis found that 74 IPL games over two months account for almost a quarter of their annual cricket market.

IMARC Group data valued the India sports betting market at $6.91 billion in 2024, with projections reaching $16.83 billion by 2033. Cricket drives most of this handle due to tournaments like the IPL, ICC World Cup, and bilateral series.

One notable pattern from Entain's data: over 90% of bets placed on IPL matches occur in-play, typically after the first innings. The 2024 tournament saw first innings average scores reach 191 runs, the highest ever for any T20 event. Bettors wait to see how the first innings unfolds before committing money on match outcomes.

Verified Market Reports valued the global cricket betting market at $14.45 billion in 2024, projecting growth to $36.24 billion by 2033 at a 10.78% compound annual rate.

Operator Market Share Affects Odds and Promotions

FanDuel and DraftKings control 67% of the U.S. sports betting market combined. Legal Sports Report found that FanDuel holds roughly 40% market share nationally. The company generated $5.78 billion in gross revenue on $50.7 billion in wagers across 23 states during 2024.

DraftKings follows at 33% market share, generating $4.67 billion in revenue from $49.4 billion in wagers across 26 states. Business of Apps reported DraftKings revenue at $4.7 billion for 2024, a 30% increase from the previous year.

BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook hold the remaining substantial market positions. This concentration means most bettors will encounter similar odds and promotions regardless of which major operator they choose.

Emerging Events Worth Watching

Summer 2024 showed increased betting interest in several categories. Covers reported that the WNBA, Paris Summer Olympics, and UEFA European Championships all contributed to year-over-year handle growth during summer months.

These events indicate where betting markets may continue growing. The WNBA in particular has seen increased coverage and viewership, which typically correlates with betting volume.

Choosing Leagues Based on Profitability

Profitability depends more on finding value than choosing the right league. Heavy betting volume on NFL games means lines are sharp and difficult to beat consistently. Smaller markets sometimes offer softer lines because books dedicate less attention to them.

The global sports betting market reached $243.7 billion in 2024, according to Statista. IMARC Group projects growth to $224.12 billion by 2033. Europe holds over 41% of this market currently.

Bettors looking for long-term success should consider factors beyond league size. Line movement, betting limits, and available markets all affect potential returns. The most popular leagues offer the most betting options, but they also attract the most sophisticated bettors competing for the same edges.

Conclusion

The sports betting landscape continues to expand as major leagues, emerging markets, and operator strategies shape where wagers flow and where value can be found. While the NFL and March Madness dominate U.S. betting volume, global events like soccer and the IPL generate massive international handle. State-level trends, market share concentration, and seasonal events all influence profitability. Ultimately, consistent bettors focus less on which league is most popular and more on identifying softer lines, understanding market timing, and managing bankroll exposure across long seasons. These fundamentals remain at the heart of sustainable sports betting success.

FAQ's

I (AKA CatBurg) have a lifelong passion for sports, especially football and basketball. I enjoy the thrill and excitement of sports betting and everything in between. My teams are (Packers #GoPackGo) and who I am betting on!