Sector Spotlight: Sports Betting

M&A deals in the sports services industry have more than doubled over the last decade. One of the key factors driving the surge is the expansion of sports betting.

Sports gambling is now legal and live across most of the US, along with at least 79 other countries. Brazil, for example, fully regulated its market in 2025.

The sector is growing faster than any other sports services niche, offering big opportunities for private market dealmakers.  

Here’s what you need to know.

Opportunities in the Sports Betting Sector

Source: Grata

Sports betting accounts for just 2.2% of the broader sports services industry, making it the smallest sector in the space.  

While public companies and their subsidiaries account for 61% of industry ownership, the vast majority of companies in the space are private. There are currently over 4,000 sports betting businesses that are ripe for acquisition.

Sports Betting Sector Financial Performance

Source: Grata

Big public players like Entain, Flutter Entertainment (owner of FanDuel), and DraftKings own around 14% of the global sports betting market. Because they are more mature and consolidated than many other businesses in the space, they’re growing more slowly than some of their younger counterparts, bringing the overall growth rate below the broader industry average.

Private companies, on the other hand, are still small enough to ride the next wave of expansion. They’re seeing an average growth rate of 51.1%, significantly higher than the private industry average. Three key trends are driving the surge:

• Legalization is spreading around the world. Some 80 countries now allow sports betting.

• Mobile access has removed the biggest barrier to entry. Sports fans can place their best from anywhere, no sportsbook required. And with little to no physical footprints necessary, sports betting companies are seeing higher margins.

• Leagues and media companies are partnering with betting businesses. The NFL, NBA, and MLB all have official betting partners now, and broadcasters weave live odds into game coverage. Data providers like Genius Sports supply the real-time feeds that make in-game betting possible. Their deals with leagues are becoming some of the most valuable in sports media.

Top Companies in Sports Betting

Source: Grata

Finding the top companies in the sports betting sector is quick and easy with Grata. Use our Agentic Search feature to surface companies like these in seconds. Specify the revenue range, employee head count, and more to find the exact companies you’re looking for.

Take Action with Grata

If you’re a private market dealmaker looking to make moves in the sports betting space, Grata can help you put the insights in this article into action.

From in-depth market research to sourcing to pipeline management and relationship nurturing, Grata’s end-to-end dealmaking platform streamlines your workflows so that you can close more deals.

Schedule a demo today to get started.