The American Gaming Association forecasts that Americans will wager $29.5bn legally on the 2026 NFL season. The estimate covers betting through regulated commercial bookmakers in the United States.
The forecast gives regulated US bookmakers an estimate of NFL betting volume for the 2026 season.
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FanDuel announced new sportsbook features ahead of the NFL season, including a monthly loyalty programme, expanded Bet Protect+ coverage and added in-app research tools. Customers can add injury protection to eligible player prop bets for an additional 3% of the wager; the company also plans further research features later in the season.
PENN Entertainment chief executive Jay Snowden said the company expected an aggressive and irrational market for acquiring customers as prediction-market platforms competed for online sports betting consumers ahead of the NFL season.
Fanatics said its sportsbook will work with IC360 and Signify Group to monitor public online activity from the 2026 NFL season. The Bad Actor Program will identify people engaging in harassment or threats and share their details with participating sportsbooks, which may suspend or restrict flagged customers.
The NFL repeated its objections to certain prediction market bets in a September 4 letter to operators. NFL chief compliance officer Sabrina Perel said exchanges continued offering contracts involving categories the league opposed, including player injuries and officiating.
The NFL asked prediction exchanges to withdraw specified sports contracts in a 3 September letter ahead of the 2026 season. The league said platforms continued listing markets it opposed, including contracts concerning officiating, player fitness and team staffing changes.