ShareThe beginning of 2025 holds significant potential for sports betting enthusiasts and market analysts. As technological advancements continue to reshape the industry, emerging betting trends, popular sports, and a heightened emphasis on responsible gambling are already offering a preview of what the year ahead may bring.
Driven by an interest in sports betting and iGaming, Brazil’s newly legalized gambling market is undergoing significant legislative reforms for a safe gambling environment. In 2024, the government established a multi-ministerial task force to regulate the sector.
Key measures include mandatory licensing for betting platforms, tax structures directing gambling revenues toward social programs and mental health services, and strict transparency and responsible gambling requirements for operators. Brazil’s approach also includes educational campaigns and support services for individuals dealing with gambling addiction.
Trends and insights for the 2025 gambling market are already taking shape. Major events such as the Olympics, esports championships, and top football competitions like the
Champions and Premier Leagues highlight football's dominance in the sports betting world.
Data from KTO in 2024 shows that football accounted for the vast majority of bets globally, driven by the popularity of major leagues like the Premier League, Brasileirão Série A, and La Liga. As emerging markets such as Asian leagues and women’s football tournaments gain prominence, the range of betting opportunities is expected to expand even further.
The bar chart displays the percentages of active users and bets placed across six sports. Football leads with 75.19% of active users and 86.5% of bets placed, shown with red and grey bars respectively. Basketball follows with 8.1% active users and 4.41% of bets. eFootball has 1.71% active users and 3.11% bets. KironFootball shows 0.4% active users and 1.28% bets. Tennis features 1.67% active users and 1.02% bets, while American Football has 2.08% active users and 0.68% bets.
Although esports initially made a modest appearance on betting lists, the category continues its apparent rise alongside eFootball in 2025. Games such as FIFA, PES, League of Legends, and Counter-Strike have become mainstays in the betting industry, while the League of Legends World Championship reached a peak of more than 6 million viewers. With esports competitions happening around the clock, the sector offers good opportunities for real-time betting and fan engagement.
Tennis, with its dynamic tournaments such as Roland Garros and the US Open, ranks high likely due to its fast-paced format and unpredictable match outcomes. Similarly, basketball, led by the NBA and WNBA, is increasingly popular thanks to its point-based betting system and player-focused prop bets.
The NFL continues to expand its international footprint, making American football a significant contender in global betting markets. Its championship event, the Super Bowl, remains a betting phenomenon, drawing millions in wagers. American football’s growing popularity in international markets is a testament to its betting potential.
With different markets to bet and a fairly simple learning curve, sports betting in 2025 thrives on analytics. Platforms now offer in-depth data, allowing bettors to analyze player stats, team performance, and game-day conditions. For example, World Cup bettors can analyze teams and players’ stats when choosing to wage individually. This data-driven approach has become indispensable for serious bettors.
The sports betting landscape in 2025 is marked by growth, innovation, and an increasing emphasis on responsible gambling. As regulatory frameworks tighten and new sports gain prominence, the industry is promising for both casual fans and seasoned bettors. With emerging markets like Brazil leading the charge, global sports betting is set for another exciting year.
