Majority of Americans Support Legalization of Sports Betting

Betting sheet and money
In partnership with the Washington Post, the UMass Lowell Center for Public Opinion surveyed 1,000 American adults on their attitudes about sports. This, the fifth release in a series, focuses on attitudes about gambling on professional sports.

KEY FINDINGS

  • Although illegal in most states, one in five fans has placed a bet on pro sports in the last five years. 
  • 73 percent of those who have bet on pro sports said it made watching the games more interesting. 
  • A majority of Americans polled, 55 percent, support legalization of gambling on professional sports, compared with only 33 percent who object. 
  • The strongest support for legalizing sports betting is among Americans between 40 and 49 years old, followed closely by those 18 to 29 years old.