An interesting study from the American Gaming Association shows that over 60% of all Americans do not have a clue that sports betting is illegal in most states across the nation. So popular is this form of wagering that “only 38 percent recognize that it is not legal in most of the nation,” according to the AGA.
A study of 1,200 adults were asked in a mixed mode survey regarding their stance on sports betting in the United State. The survey found that, “when given the option, a majority embrace changing the law so that each individual state could decide whether or not to allow sports betting in their own state.”
Over 55% Americans support the legalization of sports betting, while only 35% oppose it at this point. 10% of those asked were undecided on the topic.
Other interesting facts found in the AGA report include:
* Avid sports fans are the strongest supporters of legal online sports betting (72%). But even those who say that they do not support any sports at all are still more likely to favor sports betting, than those who oppose it.
* 72% of casino goers approve legal online sports betting, as do 59% of Super Bowl viewers, 61% of millennials and 88% of Daily Fantasy Sports players.
* If sports betting becomes legal, 12% of the adult population of the United States is likely to wager on sports.
* Nearly one in five Americans say that they have wagered on sport in the past year (although this number is probably much higher).
* Only 38% of those polled were aware that sports betting is not legal in most countries in the United States.
* Legal sports betting would most likely improve fan activity and engagement. “Nearly all sports bettors report that when they bet on sports, they are more likely to watch a game (92 percent), talk with people about a game (82 percent), follow teams and players more closely (80 percent), and find a game more fun and enjoyable (79 percent),” it was found in the report.
The American Gaming Association concluded in its report that it could summarize the results as follows:
> “Sports betting is increasingly common; it is not a fringe activity
> Betting on sports increases bettors’ enjoyment and engagement with games
> If it were legal, more Americans would bet on sports
> A majority of Americans see clear positive consequences of legalizing sports betting: increased revenue for communities and increased safety for bettors”
