Published February 18, 2025
Hot off the heels of a much hyped but surprisingly underwhelming Super Bowl, the U.S. gets to put a bow on another NFL football season. I am not an avid sports fan, yet I was able to appreciate the spectacle.Â
I am, however, an avid lottery fan. Therefore, I could not help but make an interesting comparison. Total legal betting on the NFL is projected to set a record this year, north of $35 billion in wagers placed. Applying the average hold percentage and tax rates in the U.S. from last year, states can expect to see tax revenue in the range of $600 million to $700 million from NFL betting over the 18-week, 17-game season.
The latest $1.29 billion Mega Millions jackpot run in December netted total sales of $1.68 billion over 16 weeks and produced an estimated $700 million in proceeds for our states – one game, one jackpot roll.
Clearly this is not meant to be an apples-to-apples comparison, and there is a lot to read into these numbers. However, when we begin to talk about lottery and sports and what is the ultimate impact of having these two very different products living in the same space, we can appreciate the complexity and nuance of that conversation. Â
That conversation, and many more, will be had this year at NASPL. We will continue our in-person education series in April with the Lottery Leadership Institute. The program’s website is officially open, so don’t forget to register soon to secure your spot as the demand for this successful program is sure to be high.
Developing our leaders of tomorrow is a responsibility we all should embrace. It pays dividends both personally and professionally, and it better positions our industry to be successful and tackle the plethora of challenges that lay ahead. Â
I am staunch believer in leadership development, and I believe it never stops. Every day I look for ways to improve and be better than I was yesterday – for my family, the people I work with, and anyone who may look up to me in my role. I am excited about this year’s program. I hope you are too!
Harold Mays
Director, Illinois Lottery
NASPL President