A new poll has found that the majority of adult Americans support the legalization and regulation of a sports betting industry. The survey, which was conducted by the Washington Post and the University of Massachusetts Lowell, found that 55% of the population would be supportive should the US Supreme Court rule in favor of New Jersey’s attempt to life the national ban on sports betting.
Some of the more interesting points that came out of the poll were as follows:
- Those who have placed a sports wager in the past five years were the most supportive of sports betting legalization, with 84% voting in favor.
- Fans who have played in a fantasy sports league also showed high support (79%), as did avid sports fans (70%).
- 63% of men supported legal sports betting, as did 61% of people with household incomes of $100,000 or more.
- 60% of fans of professional football supported a legal industry.
- Interestingly, 52% of Republicans voted in favor, as did 57% of Democrats in support of legalizing sports gambling.
There is definitely a trend to be more supportive of sports betting among American adults, with clear changes in sentiment compared to 25 years ago when most of the population (56%) disapproved.
In 2010, Farleigh Dickinson University ran a poll where it was found that 53% of Americans did not support legal sports betting in all states. Fast forward six years later, and a new poll showed that more adults (48%) approved sports betting than those who didn’t (39%).
What brought about these changes? According to the American Gaming Association, there are three main reasons why more and more people are warming to the idea. Firstly, the internet has brought the excitement and possibility of sports betting to players’ fingertips. It also provides easy access to news about favorite sports team. Secondly, the popularity of fantasy sports has also contributed to America’s desire to wager on real teams. Finally, the prevalence of brick and mortar casinos across the country has introduced citizens of the country to the entertaining and potential rewarding sides of betting.
According to Geoff Freeman, the President of the AGA, America is ripe for change. “As our industry expanded, we confronted a lot of fears, a lot of concerns, and what time has shown is that those fears and concerns were often misplaced,” he said.
