The Super Bowl. Everybody loves it. We even saw records get broken last year, with Super Bowl LVIII pulling in 123.4 million viewers to become the most-watched program of all time. With the 2025 incarnation of this iconic sporting event just around the corner, too, you can expect even more people to watch this year — and they’re also going to be betting in huge numbers. 

When people watch the Super Bowl in today’s world, it’s not just about the football spectacle. A big chunk of the experience is now also about social betting. Simply put, the Super Bowl is the most popular sports event to bet on in the entire country: 

• 2024: $23.1 billion wagered by 68 million adults

• 2023: $16 billion wagered by 50.4 million adults

• 2022: $7.61 billion wagered by 31.4 million adults

As reported by ESPN, each year that goes by, more people start betting on the Super Bowl. Some place basic money lines on which franchise they think will win, while others build parlays that contain multiple bets into one single wager. There was even a fan who decided to wager $1.1 million on the Kansas City Chiefs at BetMGM, landing themselves a $2.1 million total payout. Make no doubt about it, this is a serious industry that won’t slow down anytime soon. 

Social Betting and Super Bowl LIX Crossover 

Ahead of Super Bowl LIX, betting numbers are probably going to be broken again. That won’t come as a surprise to anyone. Interestingly, though, there’s also going to be a new type of betting going on: social betting. 

As reported by Bettingtools, social betting is a rising trend in the wider gambling industry. What makes it different? You don’t bet real money. Instead, what happens is you use virtual coins — Gold Coins, Sweeps Coins, or brand-specific coins — which can then be wagered on different sports events. In this case, the Super Bowl. 

If you win enough redeemable coins from the bets you place, these coins can then be exchanged for prizes. For example, it’s extremely common for social sportsbooks to offer cryptocurrencies, cash transfers, and gift cards in their prize libraries. All the player has to do is choose the prizes they want and hit the redeem button. 

How Social Sportsbooks Work 

Social betting is quickly starting to get popular. This has led to the rise of Fliff, Thrillzz, and a handful of other social sportsbooks. The obvious appeal behind them is that players don’t have to bet real money, so there’s no financial pressure involved. 

On top of this, you also have extra benefits, such as being able to communicate with other players through live chat, comments, and more (this is where the ‘social’ part of the name comes from). It’s great for sports betting fans who want to make friends with other players, which is a big part of the social betting experience. 

Throughout the 2025 Super Bowl, this is something we’re going to see. For example, if the Detroit Lions make the Super Bowl, a lot of fans will be wagering Sweeps Coins on them to win. After all, they’re the current favorites. At the same time, players will also be chatting and interacting with each other in the live chat rooms while all of the action is going on, which will probably involve them sharing betting tips and reacting to the game. It will be a highly social experience — and one that’s completely fresh compared with the traditional sportsbook format. 

So, if you want to join a social sportsbook ahead of Super Bowl LIX, you can. After launching an account, you’ll typically be rewarded some free coins which you can then use to start placing bets. If you’re joining specifically to bet on the Super Bowl, make sure you take a close look at the odds and plan your bets carefully around them. 

Remember, the aim is to collect as many coins as you possibly can so that it’s possible to redeem some prizes. Once the 2025 Super Bowl wraps up, there will then be a wave of users flooding the shops of their respective social sportsbooks so that they can exchange the coins they’ve won for available prizes. 

Are Social Sportsbooks Legal? 

Yes — social sportsbooks are 100% legal in over 45 US states. This is one of the main reasons why they’ve started to become a huge hit with NFL fans, as they’re extremely easy to access. And the reason why they’re legal to begin with is because they use virtual coins instead of dollars. In the real world, these virtual coins have zero value. Therefore, in the eyes of most state lawmakers, social sportsbooks can’t be classed as legitimate gambling platforms. Whether this will change in the future remains to be seen. For now, social sportsbooks will remain free to join in most states. 

Super Bowl 2025: AFC Favorites

The road to the Super Bowl in 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with powerhouse teams in the AFC vying for dominance. Based on regular season performances and playoff potential, the following teams are strong contenders:

Kansas City Chiefs

• Why They’re Favored: Led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Chiefs continue to be the gold standard in the AFC. With Mahomes’ ability to make game-changing plays and a solid offensive line protecting him, Kansas City remains a top threat.
• X-Factors: Tight end Travis Kelce remains an unstoppable force in the passing game, while the Chiefs’ defense has made significant strides under coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Their playoff experience gives them a mental edge over younger teams.
• Challenges: Inconsistent performances from their wide receivers and questions about their run game could be areas of concern, especially against defensively stout teams.

Super Bowl 2025: NFC Favorites

The NFC has its share of elite teams, each with a unique path to the Super Bowl. From dominant defenses to MVP-caliber quarterbacks, here are the top contenders:

Philadelphia Eagles

• Why They’re Favored: With Jalen Hurts at the helm, the Eagles are a well-rounded team capable of dominating on both sides of the ball. Their offensive line, led by Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, is arguably the best in the league.
• X-Factors: Wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith provide explosive options, while the Eagles’ defense, featuring stars like Haason Reddick and Darius Slay, has consistently delivered in key moments.
• Challenges: Opponents will look to exploit any gaps in their secondary, and maintaining momentum through the playoffs will be crucial.

Fans Will Be Betting Big

Every year, NFL fans look forward to betting on the Super Bowl. And this year, a growing number of them will place bets using social sportsbooks rather than traditional real-money betting sites. The difference will be that this allows them to still enjoy the football action without having to bet any real cash. If they win, there’s the added perk of being able to redeem prizes, which fans are going to enjoy. Whether this new type of gambling makes it to the top remains to be seen, but it will certainly be a big part of the Super Bowl over the coming years — that’s for sure.