‘Proposition betting’ Experts agree that since gambling was effectively legalized after a US Supreme Court decision in 2018 – it’s now allowed in 38 states and Washington, DC – the industry has boomed with nearly $120 billion put down in legal sports wagers in the US in 2023, one analysis found. In February, when the Super Bowl was held, Americans bet $10.49 billion on sports, a 24.8% year-over-year increase, tripscan top according to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) gaming revenue tracker. "You can bet on any game anywhere, professional or amateur, and not only on the game itself, but you can bet on the individual plays in the game. And you can do it from a smartphone just by pressing some buttons," says Andrew Zimbalist, professor of economics at Smith College.