Terry Savage: Ready. Set. Place a football bet
News September 07, 2025

Terry Savage: Ready. Set. Place a football bet

It’ s expected that legal football bettors will wager about $30 billion this year, up around 8% from last year, according to ESPN.

**Terry Savage: Ready. Set. Place a football bet**

As the football season kicks off, a frenzy of wagering is expected to sweep across the nation. Veteran financial journalist Terry Savage is signaling that it’s time to get ready, because the numbers are in: legal football betting is booming. According to ESPN, projections estimate that approximately $30 billion will be wagered on football this year alone, marking an impressive 8% increase compared to the previous year.

This surge in betting activity underscores the growing acceptance and accessibility of legal sports wagering across the United States. With more states legalizing sports betting, fans have an increasing number of avenues to engage with their favorite teams and players in a new and exciting way. What was once relegated to backroom deals and hushed conversations is now out in the open, regulated, and contributing significantly to state economies.

The appeal of football betting is multi-faceted. For some, it adds an extra layer of excitement to the game, turning passive viewing into an active involvement. A well-placed bet can intensify the thrill of every touchdown, interception, and field goal. For others, it's a strategic endeavor, involving careful analysis of team statistics, player performance, and coaching decisions. The availability of sophisticated data and analytics has further fueled this analytical approach to betting, attracting a more informed and engaged audience.

However, experts like Savage also caution potential bettors to approach wagering responsibly. While the potential for financial gain is alluring, it's crucial to understand the risks involved and to set realistic expectations. Establishing a budget and sticking to it is paramount. It's also important to remember that sports betting should be viewed as a form of entertainment, and not a guaranteed source of income.

The projected $30 billion figure represents a significant economic impact, benefiting not only the sports betting industry but also related sectors such as media, technology, and hospitality. As the legal sports betting landscape continues to evolve, it's clear that football will remain a central driver of this burgeoning market, making it more important than ever to understand the dynamics and potential pitfalls of this increasingly popular form of entertainment.
Category: Politics