Most Popular Sports to Bet On in the US
There are few nations as passionate about their sports than the United States. With a busy calendar of sporting events, it is no surprise that the vast majority of time spent by those that live within the States is spent watching a range of sports.
Therefore, it is common for Americans to also make regular wagers on the sporting action that they are most familiar with.
Betting has become incredibly popular in the U.S. due to the easing of online betting laws within the country, with almost every state now enabling bets to be made on the action. However, which sports rank among the most popular for players in the United States?
Horse Racing
There are few more global sports than horse racing, with the sector being worth an eye-watering amount to the U.S. economy.
Therefore, there is no surprise that horse racing ranks among the most popular sports betting options in the United States. Millions of players in the U.S. will typically race to find the latest results of the Breeders’ Cup, as the two-day event ranks as one of the biggest betting events of the year in North America.
However, few events on the sporting calendar attract bettors more so than the Kentucky Derby. The opening leg of the Triple Crown attracts long-time horse players as well as newcomers to the sport, with a reported $349 million wagered on the race at Churchill Downs in May 2025. As well as the Derby, other major racing betting events include the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. U.S. bettors can also wager on action outside of North America, with popular events coming in the form of Royal Ascot, the Cheltenham Festival, and the Melbourne Cup.
American Football
Unsurprisingly, the most popular sports betting option for U.S. players comes in the form of American Football. As found by Statista, 51% of the bettors in the nation have wagered on the action throughout the calendar year.
American Football is largely regarded as the national sport of the U.S., with each weekend throughout the season being a major betting event. Staggeringly, the biggest event on the American Football comes in the form of the Super Bowl, which is watched by virtually every person in North America.
Therefore, this event ranks as one of the biggest betting dates on the annual calendar. It was reported that a mega $1.39 billion was wagered on the Super Bowl in 2025. Due to the ease of being able to make bets in the United States in this modern era, it is likely that the amount wagered on the biggest event in the nation will continue to increase yearly.
College Basketball
The only sport that is capable of rivalling the success achieved by American Football from a sports betting standpoint in the U.S. comes in the form of college basketball. The NCAA tournament attracts major followers throughout the season, but its popularity peaks during March Madness.
Regarded as one of the biggest betting events of the year, this is where the best teams in the NCAA Division I tournament collide across a month-long tournament. It has been a popular event on the calendar since being introduced in 1939, and the betting excitement surrounding the event is increased based on the sheer number of upsets that occur.
Its success has continued throughout the modern era, with this being down to the ease of being able to bet online. It was revealed earlier this year that a staggering $3.1 billion was wagered on the March Madness tournament in 2025, with the vast majority of gamblers getting involved during the first four days of the competition.
Baseball
America’s most famous pastime continues to come in the form of baseball, with the cult-like following of fans within the sport ensuring that the attendance and viewing figures remain high.
In fact, baseball is enjoying somewhat of a renaissance in this modern era, with the global number of viewers increasing by 10% in the 2025 season due to the growth of the sport in Japan. A key reason for this has been due to the accessibility of the action in the MLB due to the increased streaming options available. Baseball has also overtaken the NBA and NHL in various regions in Europe due to holding games overseas in recent memory.
The biggest betting event on the MLB calendar continues to come in the form of the World Series. Like the majority of the American sports, the final series will follow a best of seven game series, with the World Series staged on 122 occasions.
The increased selection of betting options for players in the U.S. ensures that the sport remains one of the most popular in North America, while a wide range of betting options are available throughout the season. That includes giving bettors the opportunity to wager on the winner of the World Series before a new season gets underway.
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