(Gray News) – Ready for football?

The NFL’s regular season gets underway Thursday night, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Baltimore Ravens.

Betting on sports is now live and legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C.

The American Gaming Association predicts that Americans will bet a record amount on legal sportsbooks this season, $35 billion, it announced in its first legal wagering estimate for the NFL season.

That would be a 30% increase from the previous NFL season’s legal wagering estimate of nearly $27 billion.

Tips on betting responsibly

The American Gaming Association said it has been encouraging responsible betting. Here are a few ways to keep it fun:

• Set a budget. Establish personal guidelines to know when to say when.
• Keep it social. That means playing with family and friends to make sure it remains an entertaining activity.
• Know the odds. Learn the details about the game you’re playing.
• Play legally. Unregulated sportsbooks may not guarantee payouts and may put players at higher risk.

Copyright 2024 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. CNN Newsource contributed to this report.