AGA: NFL Betting Handle Stagnates, Prediction Markets Pose Threat

The American Gaming Association (AGA) has reported that $29.5 billion was legally wagered on the 2026 NFL season, marking a slight increase from the $29.4 billion wagered the previous season. This marginal growth has been attributed to the emergence of prediction markets, which are rapidly expanding and offering backdoor sports betting options.

The AGA has expressed concerns about the impact of prediction markets on the regulated sports betting industry. Bill Miller, President and CEO of AGA, stated that prediction markets are 'dangerously misleading consumers' by painting 'sports wagers' as 'investment'. He further elaborated that these markets do not follow state- and tribal-regulated sports betting laws or pay state gaming taxes, leaving consumers, including teenagers and freshmen, placing bets without the necessary protections, oversight, and accountability.

This stance against prediction markets is not new for the AGA. The association has previously taken an antagonistic stance, leading to the departure of members such as DraftKings, Fanatics, and FanDuel, who pursued their own prediction market plans. The AGA continues to advocate for the regulated sports betting market, emphasizing the importance of consumer protections and accountability.