One In Five Americans Will Bet Online By 2027.

The explosive growth of online sports betting in the U.S. is beginning to level off, but the market continues to expand, fueled by new state-level legalization, according to Emarketer.

The research firm projects that total wagers will reach nearly $211 billion in 2027, with online bets driving most of the increase. From $172.55 billion in 2025, the online handle is expected to grow to $204.2 billion by 2027 — a jump of $31.65 billion in just two years.

While the days of triple-digit year-over-year growth are likely over, the market is still experiencing notable gains. Emarketer attributes a boost in 2024 to the first full year of legal online sports betting in Kentucky, Maine, Vermont and Florida. North Carolina also joined the list in March 2024, helping fuel that year’s uptick.

Growth is expected to slow slightly in 2025, though Missouri’s upcoming legalization could provide another bump. The state will become the 39th in the nation to legalize sports betting when its law takes effect Dec. 1.

Online platforms continue to dominate sportsbook revenues. The net revenue from wagers — known as the “handle” minus winnings — is forecast to hit $19.94 billion in 2027, up from $16.18 billion in 2025. In contrast, in-person betting is expected to remain flat over the same period.

By 2027, more than 20% of the U.S. population is expected to place online sports bets. Emarketer estimates the number of online sports bettors will surpass 50 million in 2026 and reach 56.8 million by 2027, just over one-fifth of the population.

Despite this growth, no additional states are currently expected to legalize online betting during the forecast window. Still, rising public acceptance of gambling offers sportsbooks room to expand their user base, the report notes.

The average amount wagered per online bettor is projected to remain stable, increasing slightly from $3,571 in 2025 to $3,595 in 2027. That average is pushed higher by high-stakes players, even as the majority of users bet modestly. According to an April 2025 CivicScience survey, 77% of online sports bettors typically wager $50 or less per bet.