New Poll Shows Public Support Shifting on Sports Betting

It seems the sports betting industry’s strong public support is wavering.

A recently released poll from the Washington Post and the University of Maryland shows a significant shift in public opinion over sports betting. More respondents expressed concerns about the industry's impact on society and the integrity of sports.

The most surprising shift was regarding the expansion of sports betting, with 36% of respondents saying it was a bad thing. That is a 13% increase compared to 2022. Only 14% of those polled said they believed industry expansion was a good thing.

Another rising concern from the poll involved spot-fixing and its integrity in US sports leagues. Around 66% of respondents said they were concerned about the rigging or fixing of games. That resulted in prop bets also seeing a significant decline in popularity, with 23% supporting their legality and 27% opposing it. 

The most significant concern from respondents involved the rise in gambling addiction. The poll found that 70% were concerned that the increased availability of gambling would lead to a spike in addiction. 

Sports Contracts Fueling Gambling Expansion

After quickly spreading across most US states, the expansion of the regulated sports betting industry has slowed to a crawl. Missouri’s sports betting market was the first to launch in almost two years, and no others seem close to following its lead. 

However, the expansion of sports prediction markets continues.

The new industry has been growing fast, and remains legal in all 50 states. Sports contracts have expanded to include prop bets and parlays, providing customers with an alternative to traditional sportsbooks. While lawsuits against the industry are attempting to rein it in, it hasn’t stopped a rush of bettors from trying it out.

Unlike regulated sports betting, prediction markets have little concern over problem gambling. That means fewer resources and protocols to protect customers, leading to fears of its impact on those vulnerable to gambling addiction.