Recorded 242 million betting transactions for NFL Week 1, signifying a 56% surge compared to the previous year, according to GeoComply's report.
The first week of the NFL season has seen a significant increase in mobile sports betting transactions, according to data from GeoComply.
Year-over-Year Growth in Mobile Sports Betting
Americans wagered $12.1 billion on sports in May 2025, marking a 15.5% year-over-year increase, as reported by the American Gaming Association (AGA). While this figure is not specific to the NFL or mobile betting, the trend towards increased mobile adoption is expected to amplify transaction growth, especially during marquee events like the NFL season opener.
State-by-State Breakdown of Mobile Sports Betting
The AGA’s Commercial Gaming Revenue Tracker provides detailed state-by-state insights for overall sports betting and iGaming, including mobile platforms. However, the monthly topline figures are aggregated, with more detailed breakdowns available quarterly. As a result, there is no specific callout of NFL Week 1 mobile transactions or a year-on-year comparison at the state level.
Key Insights from GeoComply Data
- Increased Transaction Volumes: GeoComply reported 242.3 million geolocation transactions from U.S. mobile sportsbook customers during the first week of the NFL season, representing a 56% increase from the same time period in 2022.
- New Bettors: There was a surge of new bettors, with 1.1 million new online sportsbook accounts created during the week, representing a 40% increase from 2022.
- Geolocation Transactions Spike: Geolocation transactions spiked after the Detroit Lions took a 7-0 lead over the Kansas City Chiefs in the first game of the NFL season.
- Popular States: Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, and South Carolina all had at least 50,000 geolocation transactions during the NFL's first week.
- Potential Tax Revenue: GeoComply estimates that each of Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, and South Carolina is leaving at least $24 million of annual tax revenue behind by not having legalized mobile sportsbooks.
Recommendations for Further Research
- State Gaming Commissions: Some states (e.g., New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Nevada) release more granular weekly or monthly sports betting data, which may allow for a DIY comparison between 2022 and 2023 NFL Week 1.
- Operator Reports: Major sportsbooks (e.g., FanDuel, DraftKings) sometimes share highlights around major events, though these are rarely comprehensive.
- Industry Analysts: Firms like Eilers & Krejcik Gaming or research groups may periodically publish proprietary spotlights on NFL betting if you have budget for such reports.
Conclusion
The first week of the NFL season has seen a surge in mobile sports betting transactions, with GeoComply reporting over 240 million geolocation transactions from U.S. mobile sportsbook customers. This increase in transaction volume emphasizes the appetite for regulated online sports betting and underscores the potential tax revenue that states could generate by legalizing mobile sports betting. For deeper insights, direct inquiry to state regulators or proprietary industry analysts is recommended.
- The increase in mobile sports betting transactions observed during the first week of the NFL season is reflective of the growing gambling trends in the United States, with Americans wagering on a variety of sports, including football and American football.
- According to data from GeoComply, the surge in mobile sports betting transactions during the NFL's first week was amplified by the influx of new bettors, with 1.1 million new online sportsbook accounts created.
- The popular states for mobile sports betting during the NFL's first week included Alabama, Georgia, Minnesota, Mississippi, and South Carolina, indicating a strong interest in sports betting across these regions.
- The growth in mobile sports betting transactions, as reported by GeoComply, highlights the potential for these states to generate significant tax revenue by legalizing mobile sports betting and joining the casino-and-gambling industry.
- The NFL season's first week witnessed an exceptional engagement in mobile sports betting, showcasing the potential for further growth in sports betting transactions, particularly during major events like the NFL season opener and other sports events like football matches in the NFL and American football leagues.
