When it comes to sports betting advertising, football is king. NFL games account for nearly half of TV impressions for sports betting ads, while college football games and NFL preview shows push the sport’s reach over the halfway mark.
The NBA is a distant second, as its games make up nearly 8% of sports betting ad impressions, while the MLB rakes in 5%. The NHL collects 1.3% of ad impressions, solidly placing hockey in the fourth spot among North American leagues.
As the gambling industry moves forward, it will be interesting to see if these figures change in any meaningful way. Baseball, for instance, recently instituted numerous rule changes meant to increase viewership, which could boost ad impressions positively. That sport, with its frequent stops in action, is also primed for microbetting, an up-and-coming niche in the world of sports betting.
The NBA, meanwhile, is among the pro sports leagues rapidly embracing betting. According to the Athletic, the latest collective bargaining agreement between players and the league allows players to invest in sports betting companies.
With those warning shots from other leagues sizzling through the air, the NFL is focused on maintaining its grip on the top spot. League owners recently okayed in-stadium sportsbooks, signaling that they, too, are keen to tap into the gambling boom.
This story originally appeared on AskGamblers and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.