--- title: "Top 2 sports betting stocks to buy ahead of NFL season" description: "The 2025 NFL season begins on September 4, presenting a lucrative opportunity for investors in sports betting stocks. With 38 states legalizing sports wagering, platforms like DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG" type: "news" locale: "en" url: "https://longbridge.com/en/news/255313518.md" published_at: "2025-08-30T13:19:44.000Z" --- # Top 2 sports betting stocks to buy ahead of NFL season > The 2025 NFL season begins on September 4, presenting a lucrative opportunity for investors in sports betting stocks. With 38 states legalizing sports wagering, platforms like DraftKings (NASDAQ: DKNG) and Flutter Entertainment (NYSE: FLUT) are set to benefit from increased user engagement and betting activity. DraftKings, holding a 25% market share, is seeing robust revenue growth and plans to introduce a tax surcharge in high-tax states. Flutter, with a 48% market share through FanDuel, leads in customer acquisition and global presence. Both stocks are rated "overweight" by analysts, making them top picks for the NFL betting boom. The 2025 NFL season kicks off on September 4 with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting the Dallas Cowboys. For investors, this isn’t just football – it’s a financial playbook. The NFL commands the largest share of US sports betting volume, and with 38 states now legalizing some form of sports wagering, the season’s kickoff marks a surge in user engagement, betting activity, and platform revenues. Sportsbooks see a spike in app downloads, active users, and betting handle during the NFL’s opening weeks. That makes now a prime time to position in the sector. Below are two top sports betting stocks poised to benefit from the NFL frenzy. ## DraftKings Inc (NASDAQ: DKNG) DraftKings is the second-largest online sportsbook in the U.S., commanding roughly 25% market share. With operations in 25 states and Washington, DC, it’s a pure digital play – no brick-and-mortar distractions, just scalable tech and aggressive user acquisition. The company added 3 million active users in 2024 alone, a testament to its marketing muscle and product stickiness. As the NFL season begins, DKNG typically sees a surge in betting volume, especially around marquee matchups and fantasy contests. Financially, the company is turning a corner. Revenue growth has been robust, and EBITDA margins are improving. In 2025, DraftKings plans to introduce a tax surcharge in high-tax states, a move aimed at protecting profitability. While this could slightly dent market share, it signals a shift toward sustainable earnings. Analysts remain bullish, citing its dominant brand, expanding casino offerings, and potential for international growth. Wall Street currently has a consensus “overweight” rating on DKGN shares with a mean target calling for upside to roughly $55. For investors seeking exposure to the NFL betting boom, DraftKings stock is a front-runner. ## Flutter Entertainment Plc (NYSE: FLUT) Flutter Entertainment, the parent company of FanDuel, is the undisputed leader in US online sports betting, with a commanding 48% market share. FanDuel’s dominance is especially pronounced during the NFL season, when its intuitive interface, aggressive promotions, and same-game parlays attract millions of bettors. Operating in 24 states, FanDuel is often the first app downloaded by new users, giving Flutter a powerful funnel for customer acquisition. Beyond the US, Flutter’s global footprint adds resilience. It leads in the UK and Ireland, and its Australian brand SportsBet holds 45% market share. This geographic diversification cushions against regulatory shocks and seasonal dips. Flutter’s reinvestment strategy – plowing profits back into marketing and tech – has paid off with consistent top-line growth. As the NFL season kicks off, expect FanDuel to dominate headlines and betting volumes. Wall Street currently rates FLUT shares at “overweight” as well. For investors, Flutter stock offers both scale and stability, making it a compelling pick for the sports betting surge. The post Top 2 sports betting stocks to buy ahead of NFL season appeared first on Invezz ### Related Stocks - [FLTR.UK - Flutter Entertainment Plc](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/FLTR.UK.md) - [DKNG.US - Draftkings](https://longbridge.com/en/quote/DKNG.US.md) ## Related News & Research | Title | Description | URL | |-------|-------------|-----| | Draftkings｜10-K：2025 财年营收 60.55 亿美元超过预期 | | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275897859.md) | | Draftkings｜8-K：2025 财年 Q4 营收 19.89 亿美元超过预期 | | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275896384.md) | | 期权热点｜上周五 DKNG 大跌 13%，部分看跌期权飙升 400% | 美东时间 02 月 13 日，DKNG 期权总成交 154361 张，看涨期权占比 62%，看跌期权占比 37%。 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/276030235.md) | | 19:16 ET 仅在 FanDuel TV 上观看第 152 届肯塔基德比的所有预备赛 | FanDuel TV 将提供第 152 届肯塔基德比预选赛的独家报道，并为所有美国本土赛事提供 20 美元的退款特别优惠，直到 4 月 11 日。该网络将直播官方积分赛的报道，提供专家分析、采访和竞争者的最新动态。FanDuel 是唯一允许 | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275677034.md) | | DraftKings 第四季度收入增长 43%，略微超出预期 | DraftKings 报告第四季度收入同比增长 43%，略微超出分析师预期。该公司还超出了调整后的每股收益预期，第四季度净收入为 1.3643 亿美元。对于 2026 财年，DraftKings 预计收入将在 65 亿到 69 亿美元之间， | [Link](https://longbridge.com/en/news/275809581.md) | --- > **Disclaimer**: This article is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice.