Sacred Heart University recently conducted a survey that found 61 percent of respondents are concerned about the impact of sports gambling.
Alfred Branch, Patch Staff
FAIRFIELD, CT — A new national survey conducted by Sacred Heart University finds that a majority of Americans harbor concerns about the potential risks associated with legalized sports gambling, including corruption and unethical influence on athletic competition.
The survey of 1,500 participants, conducted in collaboration with GreatBlue Research, found that 61.1% of respondents were concerned that legalized sports betting could lead to corruption such as match-fixing, bribery, or other forms of misconduct. The study comes amid a rapid expansion of legalized gambling markets across the United States and an increase in partnerships between professional sports leagues and betting platforms.
Despite these concerns, public opinion on sports gambling remains generally favorable. More than half of respondents (52.8%) support its legalization nationwide, while 58.8% support legalization within their own states. However, when asked about sports gambling’s overall impact, respondents were divided: 36.9% viewed its effect on society as more positive than negative, while 48.4% saw it as more negative.
Concerns Over Integrity and Accessibility
When asked about the integrity of sports gambling, 22.2% of respondents said they were “very concerned” about the risk of corruption, while an additional 38.9% were “somewhat concerned.” Views on accessibility also varied by demographic, with younger respondents more likely to favor increased access to sports gambling. Among those aged 18-34, 45.7% supported broader accessibility, compared to 43.6% of those aged 35-54 and just 18.7% of respondents 55 and older. The survey also found a gender gap in attitudes toward sports gambling, with 60.8% of men viewing it favorably compared to 41.9% of women.
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“This poll reflects a national tension regarding the comfort level and acceptance of sports betting,” said Andrew Miller, chair of Sacred Heart University’s sports communication and media programs. “While sports betting is widely accessible and increasingly normalized, a majority of Americans remain uneasy about its potential impact on fair competition and personal well-being.”
League Partnerships, Media Coverage, and Personal Impact
The survey highlighted skepticism toward sports leagues forming partnerships with gambling platforms, with only 30.8% of respondents supporting such relationships, while 50.1% opposed them. Additionally, more than one-quarter (26.5%) of respondents said the volume of gambling-related content in sports media was excessive, compared to 9.6% who felt there was not enough coverage.
Beyond the broad societal concerns, respondents also pointed to the personal effects of sports gambling. Nearly one in five (18.3%) reported experiencing tension in personal relationships due to gambling, while 32.3% said they knew someone whose well-being had been negatively affected. The top reasons for engaging in sports gambling included the chance to win money (52.5%), excitement (31.2%), and promotional incentives (26.5%).
The survey also identified financial risk (59.5%), gambling addiction (40.8%), and concerns over unfair odds (40.8%) as the primary barriers preventing wider acceptance of sports gambling.
Younger respondents were more likely to engage in sports betting, with 62.9% of those aged 18-34 viewing it favorably and 65.1% supporting expanded legalization. However, they were also more likely to report knowing someone harmed by gambling (38.2%) and to say that gambling had influenced how they consumed sports content (46.1%). The likelihood of placing a bet in the coming year was also highest among younger demographics, with 55.9% of those aged 18-34 indicating they intended to gamble, compared to 47% of those 35-54 and 20.5% of respondents 55 and older.
“There’s a complicated mix of enthusiasm and apprehension, particularly among younger fans,” said Josh Shuart, director of Sacred Heart University’s sport management program. “Gambling is making sports more interactive, but many of the most engaged fans are also seeing the potential downsides firsthand.”
Despite these concerns, the survey found Americans remain split on the overall societal impact of sports gambling. Just 36.9% believe it has a more positive than negative effect, while 48.4% believe the opposite or remain undecided.
The poll, conducted between Jan. 29 and Feb. 3, 2025, has a margin of error of ±2.43% and a confidence level of 95%. Participants represented a diverse demographic cross-section from all U.S. regions. More details on the survey can be found at www.sacredheart.edu/sportsgambling.
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