Online betting has exploded in popularity over the past few years, and that growth is forecasted to continue through 2024 and beyond. As more countries legalize online sports betting and gambling sites launch in new markets, bettors have access to wager on an expanding array of sports, leagues, and novelty betting opportunities.
With online betting activity swelling globally at Scorito and other platforms, these markets stand out as the most popular for bettors in 2024 based on projected betting handle and interest:
NFL Football
The NFL reigns supreme in the U.S. sports landscape, routinely garnering over $1 billion in Discover the Magic of ‘Divine Empress’ Slot Game placed on its games per season. With average NFL betting handle per game ranging from $500 million to nearly $1 billion, pro football wagering will remain unmatched in 2024.
Key factors driving NFL betting action include:
- Primetime and playoff games generating massive betting volume
- Continued growth of mobile and in-game wagering boosting overall handle
- Player prop and live betting keeping fans engaged from kickoff through final whistle
As long as the NFL maintains its dominance as America’s most watched and wagered on sport, it will lead the charge in online betting markets.
NBA Basketball
The NBA has blossomed into a global phenomenon, thanks largely to its star power and fast-paced, high-scoring style of play that lends itself perfectly to in-game betting. During the 2022 season, total handle increased more than 60% from the previous season to over $1.5 billion.
Projecting into 2024, factors indicating the NBA’s online betting popularity will continue rising:
- Younger demographic betting more on star players and props
- Increased nationwide mobile sportsbook options
- Primetime marquee matchups catalyzing betting action
With its 82-game regular season and playoff series creating endless betting opportunities, the NBA seems poised to challenge the NFL in terms of total wagers.
World Cup Soccer
As the biggest sporting event in the world, the 2022 World Cup gave the online sports betting industry a glimpse of the wagering possibilities around soccer’s marquee tournament.
While this year’s handle reached over $3 billion globally, the 2026 World Cup—which will be co-hosted in North America—is projected to shatter records with total handle estimates ranging from $7-$15 billion as the U.S. audience continues embracing the beautiful game.
March Madness
The opening weekend of the annual March Madness college basketball tournament generates more betting handle than any other sporting event besides the Super Bowl. In 2022, the first four days saw $3 billion wagered legally in the U.S., with that number forecasted to rise above $5 billion by 2024.
Factors contributing to the tournament’s betting popularity:
- Office pools driving casual betting
- Non-stop action with 67 games over 4 days
- Underdogs winning builds parlays and payouts
With a captive national audience filling out brackets and tuning into all the close games and upsets, March Madness betting action will keep soaring year after year.
Esports Competitions
Once a niche corner of online betting, esports wagering has exploded onto the scene and will become mainstream by 2024. Total esports betting handle reached $12.7 billion globally this year and some project it growing by more than 400% over the next two years.
Driving factors behind esports betting growth:
- Younger demographics that embrace gaming and betting
- More sportsbooks adding dedicated esports betting sections
- Increased coverage and prize pools attracting new fans
As audiences swell and more states approve esports betting legislation, this market appears primed for massive expansion by 2024.
The Most Popular Betting Markets Evolving Right Now
While the above sports and events currently generate the most online betting action, the legal U.S. market remains in its infancy with plenty of room for expansion across various sports leagues and competitions in coming years.
For example, niche sports like cricket and rugby have built-in global audiences ready to bet once regulated markets open in additional states. Even politics, entertainment, and pop culture betting represent emerging sectors sportsbooks will explore to increase customer acquisition and retention.
No matter what teams, leagues, or novelty offerings gain betting traction in the future, the online sports betting industry’s upward trajectory points toward massive growth in handle and betting options across all platforms by 2024 and beyond. With more mobile apps launching and gaining customers, sports fans can bet on their favorite sports from anywhere at a moment’s notice—feeding this booming industry’s continued rise for years to come.