A recent study conducted by the American Gaming Association reveals more Americans approve and participate in recreational legal gambling in the United States than ever before.
Mainstream Acceptance
Before the US Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, which paved the way for states to decide for themselves whether they would approve retail and mobile gambling, there was a stigma to sports betting that conjured the notion of back alleys and wise guy bookies. But those ill-conceived perceptions have changed rapidly as sports betting has expanded to 38 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
No longer do Americans looking to place a bet have to know a guy who knows a guy or venture forth into the tumultuous waters of offshore sports betting where many of those predatory sites are adept at taking deposits but not so inclined to render payouts when requested. U.S. citizens in most jurisdictions have now had several years of mobile sports betting marketing campaigns and alluring signup bonuses to acclimate to this new age of sports betting.
The American Gaming Association’s “American Attitudes Toward Gaming” study surveyed 2,000 Americans aged 21 and over between July 31 and August 9, 2024, about their use of gambling establishments and sports betting apps. It was an eye-opening study for several reasons, not the least of which is that it is the first time more than 50% of the respondents answered they had indulged in some form of legal gambling.
Joe Maloney, AGA senior vice president of strategic communications, said: “These latest survey results highlight a consistent trend over the years: as gaming expands to new audiences, Americans increasingly see the benefits of a legal, regulated gaming marketplace that contributes to communities, prioritizes responsibility, and provides unmatched entertainment.”
What Do the Results Say?
Of the 2000 people surveyed, 55% said they had participated in some form of legalized gambling whether at a casino, lottery, sportsbook, or mobile gambling app that could include sports betting, iGaming, or both.
The survey also revealed 986 of the 2000 interviewed had been to a casino in the last 12 months whether it was to gamble or for some other reason such as a show, live music, etc. Statistics show that 122 million people have visited casinos over the last 12 months and the average has plummeted from 50 years old in 2019 to 42 in 2023.
Perhaps the most compelling metric was that 76% of those surveyed believe legal gambling has a positive impact on the U.S. economy through:
- Increased entertainment and dining options for residents
- Increased tourism
- Job creation and investment in local areas
- Increased tax revenue for state and local governments
- Good paying jobs and the ability to climb the corporate ladder locally
- Revitalization of affected areas in participating jurisdictions
Ironically, of the dozen states that have yet to legalize sports betting, the two most populous, California and Texas, are among them. The others currently without retail or mobile sports betting include Idaho, Utah, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Americans bet nearly $120 billion on sports in 2023, which was a 27.5% increase from the previous year.
