NFL Betting Season Set to Surge as Kickoff Approaches

Summary:

• Optimove’s new NFL wagering intentions report shows an increased interest in weekly NFL bets for the upcoming season.
• Point spreads, moneylines, and over/under bets are still on top of bettors’ favorite formats.
• Mobile betting is in the lead, and most players use multiple platforms to wager.

The countdown to the kickoff of the 2025 NFL season is on, with the Philadelphia Eagles set to host the Dallas Cowboys on September 4. This means bettors are once again getting ready for the most exciting stretch of the sports betting calendar.

Marketing-focused customer data platform Optimove assessed the habits and motivations of 425 NFL bettors via an August survey.

Who’s Betting, Why, and How Much

The findings from the “Optimove Insights: 2025–2026 Consumer Report on NFL Wagering Intentions” report show that 77% of respondents are getting ready to place bets throughout the season, and weekly wagers continue to be the norm.

The regular season takes the top spot for betting activity, followed closely by postseason games and the Super Bowl. Interestingly, 83% of respondents said they will wager on the Super Bowl no matter which teams end up playing, while a similar percentage (82%) stated they will keep betting even if their favorite team gets knocked out.

As for what motivates their betting decisions, players’ performances, point spreads, and loyalty to favorite teams were in the lead.
Promotions are also important factors that influence roughly 41% of bettors. Betting adds excitement for 86% of respondents, and 65% say they experienced moderate or high success last season.

Spending-wise, most players bet between $11 and $100 per game, and nearly all take part in fantasy leagues, pools, or contests. Some also admitted to paying extra to receive betting advice via apps, social platforms, or tipsters.

Traditional Bets, Still in the Lead

In terms of preferred bet types, point spreads are a top choice for 61% of bettors, followed by moneyline (52%) and over/under totals (47%).

Prop bets, parlays, and same-game parlays remain popular with niche audiences. Live or in-game betting has become less popular, with only 25% of respondents using it this year, down from 37% in 2024. However, pre-game betting is making a comeback.

Responsible gambling awareness is high, with 92% knowing where to find help, but 63% still admit to overspending. Most (86%) believe their sportsbook offers solid safeguards, suggesting there’s room for operators to highlight budgeting tools and build more trust.

Mobile dominates the betting landscape, as 76% of respondents said they place wagers via phone or online. DraftKings and FanDuel remain the leaders, but loyalty is flexible, with 80% of users bouncing between at least two platforms weekly.

App usability and promotions are the biggest draws, while poor interfaces and spammy messages push bettors away.