FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 1, 2025
Contact: Abby Wicker
media@thefsga.org
New FSGA research highlights industry stability and next-generation growth in fantasy sports and sports betting
CHICAGO – The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA) today announced findings from its latest research report, presented at the 2025 FSGA Summer Conference in Chicago. Conducted by the Angus Reid Group on behalf of the FSGA, the study reveals continued stability in overall engagement and promising trends among younger players, signaling future growth across both fantasy sports and sports betting.
Key Findings:
- 84 Million Engaged: An estimated 84 million adults in the U.S. and Canada participated in fantasy sports or sports betting in the past 12 months, up from 81 million in 2024, including 77 million Americans. This reflects consistent market penetration, despite broader population growth, and underscores the industry’s mainstream status.
- Fantasy vs. Sports Betting: Across both countries, approximately 57 million people played fantasy sports (53M U.S., 4.2M Canada), while 66 million bet on sports (61M U.S., 5.1M Canada). Sports betting maintains a slight edge in popularity, but both formats have strong followings.
- Significant Crossover: Nearly half of all U.S. players participate in both fantasy and sports betting, highlighting blurred lines between the two and reinforcing the potential for dual-platform engagement.
- Next Generation Momentum: Among 13–20-year-old season-long fantasy players, the average starting age is 14. These next-gen players are highly engaged—66% update their lineups daily, and 64% pay league entry fees, with a median annual spend of $100. NFL and NBA are the most popular sports, but soccer, esports, and MMA/UFC show strong appeal.
Future DFS & Betting Participation:
- 91% of next-gen fantasy players expect to continue playing next year
- 90% plan to enter paid contests when of age
- 73% intend to play Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)
- 74% of fantasy players expect to engage in sports betting once legally eligible
- 72% think that DFS is an easy way to make money; 72% also believe that sports betting is an easy way to make money
- High Brand Awareness: The next generation is already familiar with fantasy and betting platforms. Most are aware of at least four DFS or sportsbook brands
“These results demonstrate that while the overall market is stable, the enthusiasm among younger fans points to long-term growth,” said FSGA Chair Brandon Loeschner. “Understanding what drives their participation and content consumption will help our industry evolve to meet the needs of tomorrow’s players.”
Methodology
These findings are based on a two-phase survey conducted by the Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association (FSGA) and Angus Reid Group (ARG). Phase 1, conducted from May 30 – June 5, 2025, included 3,930 adults across the U.S. and Canada. Phase 2, conducted from June 3 – 10, 2025, focused on 1,029 U.S. fantasy players aged 13–20. The survey was conducted in English. For comparison purposes, a probability sample of this size carries a margin of error of +/-2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
About Angus Reid Group
The Angus Reid Group is one of North America’s most well-known and trusted online public opinion communities consisting of engaged residents across the U.S. and Canada who answer surveys on topical issues that matter to all. Learn more at https://www.angusreid.com.
About FSGA
The Fantasy Sports & Gaming Association is the only national organization representing the interests of fantasy sports and gaming companies. We are the voice for over 80 million fantasy sports players in the United States and Canada as well as the companies that provide services, news, information, and competition to support these growing industries. Our members range from small startups to major media corporations, all driven by a shared passion for sports and gaming. Our mission is to empower our members with essential research, data, networking opportunities, and collective action to help them reach their full potential. For more information, visit https://thefsga.org.