Gambling Emerges As One Of America’s Largest Forms Of Entertainment
Gambling has become one of the largest forms of entertainment following sports betting's widespread legalization.
Gambling has become one of the largest forms of entertainment following sports betting’s widespread legalization.
Americans placed around $166 billion in bets on sporting events in 2025 — more than U.S. movies, music, books, and museums spending combined, Fortune reported Sunday. However, the outlet noted that figure is likely higher as it does not factor in bets placed on the two largest prediction markets in the world — Polymarket and Kalshi.
The North American box office earned $8.87 billion in revenue last year, whereas recorded music earned $11.5 billion, live music earned $18.5 billion, book publishers earned $14.6 billion, and the U.S. museum industry earned $16.4 billion — totaling around $70 billion, according to Fortune.
Kalshi did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
“Polymarket aims to continue to give fans new ways to follow the action, engage with their favorite teams, and put their knowledge to the test throughout the sporting season,” a spokesperson for Polymarket told the DCNF.