Online sports betting has evolved into a massive market, with fans placing more bets than ever before. In 2024, Americans placed an impressive $149 billion in legal sports bets, generating over $14.2 billion in revenue for sportsbooks, according to the Legal Sports Report. This surge is thanks to wider legalization, the rise of mobile betting apps, and fans’ deeper connections with their favorite sports.
As 2025 rolls in, a few sports are leading the pack when it comes to online bets. Here’s a closer look at where bettors are putting their money — and why these games continue to dominate.
Football
Football continues to dominate the sports betting landscape in the United States, with over 51% of bettors placing wagers on the sport in the past year, according to Statista Consumer Insights. This dominance is mainly due to the event-driven nature of football itself.
Each NFL Sunday and College Football Saturday feels like a national celebration, drawing immense attention and betting activity. Major events like the Super Bowl amplify this even further; the 2024 edition alone generated a staggering $23.1 billion in bets, as the American Gaming Association reported.
Football offers a broad range of betting markets that appeal to casual fans and seasoned bettors. There are opportunities to engage at every level, whether moneylines, point spreads, player props, or multi-leg parlays. In addition, the growth of live betting—placing wagers as the game unfolds—has made football more interactive and dynamic than ever.
There’s also a strong connection between sports betting and fantasy football, with both communities thriving on real-time player performance data and matchup analysis. This crossover creates a rich, strategy-driven environment where entertainment and engagement go hand in hand.
Basketball
With NBA teams playing 82 regular-season games and the NCAA offering a packed collegiate schedule, basketball provides nearly continuous opportunities to engage in online sports betting. Unlike other sports with longer gaps between games, bettors can find fresh odds and matchups nearly daily during the season.
Live betting is especially prominent in basketball due to the sport’s high tempo, frequent scoring, and rapid momentum shifts. Bettors can wager on individual quarters, player stats, or outcomes like who scores next, creating a dynamic and immersive experience that evolves in real-time. March Madness, the annual NCAA tournament, represents a peak in basketball betting activity. In 2024 alone, more than $2.7 billion in legal wagers were placed during the tournament, underscoring its cultural and economic impact.
In addition to the frequency and structure of games, how basketball integrates with digital platforms enhances its betting appeal. Many sportsbooks now offer in-app live streaming, real-time stats, and personalized betting suggestions tailored to users’ preferences.
Broadcasters now show live odds and betting updates during games, making it easy for fans to follow the action and place bets at the same time. It’s one of the reasons basketball has become such a fun and interactive sport for online bettors.
Baseball
Baseball is among the most popular sports for online betting in the U.S., with 25% of bettors placing wagers on Major League Baseball (MLB) games. What sets baseball apart is its deep-rooted connection to statistics, pacing, and strategic decision-making—elements that appeal strongly to experienced and data-driven bettors.
With a 162-game regular season, baseball gives fans plenty of chances to bet almost every day from spring to fall. This steady schedule appeals to those who like tracking stats, following trends, and planning long-term betting strategies. On top of the usual win/loss bets, you can dive into micro-markets — like betting on individual innings, first five innings, total bases, strikeouts, or even the outcome of a single pitch or at-bat.
Soccer
Soccer has firmly established itself as a rising force in the U.S. online betting market. Once considered a niche interest among American sports fans, soccer is now attracting a diverse and growing audience of bettors, thanks partly to its global reach and constant availability.
Leagues such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and MLS provide a steady stream of matches year-round, with sportsbooks offering odds on everything from European fixtures to South American tournaments. This international access ensures that bettors can always find an event to wager on, regardless of the time zone or day of the week.
The growth of soccer betting in the U.S. has also been fueled by the rising anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States, Canada, and Mexico will co-host. Major international tournaments consistently attract new fans and bettors, and the lead-up to the next World Cup is already driving increased engagement.
Soccer’s structure also lends itself well to live or in-play betting, where bettors can wager on markets such as the next goal scorer, total corners, halftime/full-time outcomes, or match-winner after the game begins. These real-time options add excitement and strategy layers that resonate with new and experienced bettors.
Boxing
Boxing stands out in online betting for its event-based appeal. While there are fewer matches compared to other sports, major fights, especially championship bouts, draw huge interest from bettors and generate a lot of betting activity.
One big example is the 2024 Tyson vs. Paul fight, which broke betting records. It even topped the 2017 Mayweather vs. McGregor bout, which saw around $80 million wagered in Las Vegas alone, according to The Sun. This fight pulled in three times more bets and four times the total money than any boxing or MMA match before it at major sportsbooks.
Boxing remains one of the simplest betting markets. Most wagers focus on picking the winner, how the fight will end (by knockout, TKO, or decision), or which round it’ll wrap up in.
Additionally, cross-promotions with MMA have expanded the sport’s audience, bringing in fans who enjoy intense, one-on-one competition. For many, the appeal lies in the simplicity and suspense—a complete betting experience packed into a single, adrenaline-filled evening. For those looking to stay up to date with the latest developments in boxing and other major sports, FanDuel Research offers timely insights and news covering the ever-evolving world of sports betting.
Closing Insights
The online sports betting landscape in the U.S. has never been more dynamic than in 2025. While football continues to lead the way in popularity, basketball, baseball, soccer, and boxing each contribute distinct experiences that cater to different betting styles and preferences. Today’s bettors have access to an unprecedented range of tools, data, and platforms, allowing for more strategic and personalized approaches to wagering.
