Super Bowl LX Emerges As A Key Test For Betting Growth

Super Bowl LX is shaping up as more than a championship game for football fans. New data suggests the event will act as a stress test for North America’s online sports betting ecosystem, measuring how well regulated markets handle increased demand while revealing how much interest remains untapped elsewhere.

Payments company Paysafe has released findings from its “All the Ways Players Pay: Super Bowl” report, based on a survey of roughly 3,000 adults aged 21 and older in the United States and Canada. The research examines how fans plan to engage with the game between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, focusing on viewing habits, betting behavior, and access to legal wagering.

Super Bowl Betting Concentrates Activity Into One Weekend

Industry forecasts estimate that betting on Super Bowl LX could approach $1.5 billion in the United States alone. Paysafe’s data supports the scale of that projection, with about half of surveyed respondents saying they intend to place a wager on the game.

Participation is strongest in states where online sports betting is firmly established. New York leads the surveyed jurisdictions, with 65% of respondents planning to place an online bet through a licensed operator. Other regulated states and Ontario also show elevated levels of engagement, underscoring the Super Bowl’s ability to compress betting activity into a short, high-intensity period.

First-Time Bettors Drive Growth

Paysafe’s data shows that newcomers will play a significant role. In regulated markets, 51% of respondents expect to wager online or via an app, including 31% who will bet for the first time.

“For sportsbooks, this influx of first-time bettors represents more than short-term volume; it is an opportunity to establish trust and build long-term relationships through seamless onboarding and reliable payment experiences,” the report states.

Florida is projected to see 31% first-time bettors, while Ontario stands at 33%. Florida’s online market remains limited to Hard Rock Bet following its 2023 launch.

Strong Interest Beyond Regulated Markets

Paysafe also surveyed fans in non-regulated regions, including California, Texas, and Alberta. Across these areas, 52% expressed interest in betting on the Super Bowl, despite lacking legal access.

Among respondents in these markets, 91% said wagering would improve the viewing experience. California recorded the highest interest at 60%, followed by Alberta at 49% and Texas at 48%.

“Legalization would do more than unlock betting; it would transform the Super Bowl experience for millions of fans,” the report states. “The Super Bowl may be a single day, but for prospective markets, it signals a long-term shift; one in which payments, trust, and user experience will define success from the outset.”

Industry Implications

The findings underline the Super Bowl’s importance for the broader betting ecosystem. Last month, Paysafe joined the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance, becoming the second payments provider to do so after Nuvei. Paysafe provides services to bet365, Jackpocket, and Betfair, and now sits alongside other operators and developers within the group.

Source:

“Paysafe All the Ways Players Pay: Super Bowl Edition Super Bowl game-day betting & payments trends”, paysafe.com. February 2026