Last Updated on July 24, 2025 5:14 pm by admin
According to statistics, the United States has been at the forefront of sports betting popularity. After the 2018 Supreme Court decision gave states the power to legalize sports betting, it quickly gained popularity, and it is likely that almost every sports fan has placed a bet at least once. In fact, a report by CNN shows that US citizens placed over $10bn in bets during the Super Bowl in February. This indicates just how popular sports betting is in the United States.
As the popular US betting market grows, it’s no surprise that sports betting has become a huge source of entertainment for many. In this article, we will explore the top five favorite sports to bet on in the United States. So come along and let’s find out what makes these sports appealing to bettors and fans.
What you need to know about sports betting in the US
First, let’s review the basics of sports betting, which involves three types of odds including:
- American moneyline odds, commonly used in the US
- European decimal odds, popular in Australia, Europe and Canada
- British fractional odds, common in Ireland and the United Kingdom
The American moneyline odds format is our major focus, and it is important to distinguish between favorites and underdogs. Favorites indicate how much you need to bet to win $100 and are represented by a minus sign. On the other hand, underdogs are represented by a plus sign, and show how much you will win if you bet $100.
To better understand it, the greater the gap between both odds, the higher the chances of the favorite winning.
Top favorite sports to bet on
Below are the top favorite sports to bet on in the US in no particular order:
Football
We’ll start with the first and most obvious on the list: football. This is unarguably the most popular sport to bet on in the United States, as it has garnered the highest volume of wagers. In the US, football has transformed from being a mere sport to being a major cultural phenomenon. This is evident in the celebration of the Super Bowl, which is very popular.
For instance, during the Super Bowl in February, Americans bet as much as $10.49bn on the sport. As a result, the Super Bowl has become the most bet-on single-day sporting event in the United States. Added to this, the NFL has maintained its position as the most popular sport to bet on due to its wide national viewership.
Baseball
Baseball is one of America’s favorite pastimes for many good reasons. One of these reasons is the high number of games. Every team plays 162 regular-season games, giving you enough chances to apply your analytical skills when evaluating statistics. Also, baseball offers different options to bet on, including totals, money lines and run lines.
Another aspect that makes this sport even more interesting to bettors is that the Major League Baseball betting experience feels more intense during the World Series and playoffs.
Soccer
Everyone loves soccer, so it is no surprise that it is now the fourth most-watched game in the US and also one of the most popular sports to bet on. Messi’s move to Major League Soccer caused viewership to skyrocket, surpassing the NHL in popularity and revenue. Also, international events like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League attract a high level of interest for sports bettors.
With its popularity in the US steadily increasing with each passing year, it looks like soccer could eventually jump ahead of American football as the most popular sport in the country.
Basketball
This list would be incomplete without mentioning basketball, one of the biggest sports in the world. The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the basketball governing body in the USA and a very successful one at that. Legends like Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Steph Curry have contributed to its popularity, attracting over two billion fans worldwide.
Other reasons for the NBA’s popularity in the US sports betting market include continuous games and swift gameplay to keep players engaged throughout each match.
Boxing
Boxing is the most popular combat sport to bet on in the US, over MMA. It is a major event that draws global attention as sports bettors are always interested to see which of their favorite boxers will win the match. You can expect to see gamblers betting on great boxers like Tyson Fury and Canelo Alvarez, giving each match more spice.
The simplicity of a boxing game is one of the major reasons it has remained a popular sport to bet on. Although fans can only bet on a limited number of possible outcomes, such as draw, lose or win, they still get to see their favorite fighters in the ring.
Final words
To sum it up, sports betting is a big deal in the US, and fans love betting on football, basketball, baseball, soccer and boxing. Each sport offers a unique betting experience, so if you’re thinking of placing a bet, you have plenty of choices.