Published on: October 2, 2025, 03:56h.
Updated on: October 2, 2025, 03:56h.
- More Americans are expressing negative views toward the expansion of sports betting
- Despite these negative beliefs, 22% of respondents engaged in sports betting in the last year
With Missouri set to legalize sports betting later this year, the total number of states permitting it will reach 39, alongside Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. However, many Americans are not in favor of this growth.
According to a recent survey conducted by Pew Research, 43% of Americans believe that the growing accessibility of sports wagering is detrimental to society. This is a noticeable rise from the 34% who felt similarly in 2022. Additionally, 40% of individuals assert that the expansion of sports betting is detrimental to the integrity of sports, up from 33% three years prior.
“Despite the growing critical sentiments surrounding legal sports betting, many Americans maintain that it has neither a positive nor negative effect on society and sports, with less than one in five perceiving any positive contributions,” notes Pew.
The research firm further highlights that there is a growing awareness among Americans regarding the rising legality of sports betting. This may be influenced by widespread media coverage and sportsbook advertisements; 63% of respondents indicated that they have “heard or read a lot or a little” about the increased availability of sports betting in the U.S., an increase from 56% in 2022.
Widespread Negative Sentiments Towards Sports Betting
The debate continues on whether sports betting directly contributes to financial hardships, but negative perceptions about the activity appear to be prevalent across various demographics.
Pew’s analysis reveals that both men and women share similar reservations about sports betting, with comparable concerns echoed across different education levels and income brackets. Notably, dissent regarding the expansion of sports wagering cuts across party lines.
“This sentiment is evident among both Democrats and Republicans, as well as individuals who have placed a sports bet in the past year and those who have not,” observes Pew.
In a potentially alarming trend for gaming companies, young men—typically the primary demographic for sportsbooks—are increasingly pessimistic about sports betting. Forty-seven percent of men under 30 believe that sports wagering is harmful to society, a figure that has more than doubled from 22% three years ago. Women in the same age group are only slightly more optimistic, with 35% agreeing that sports betting poses risks.
Further Concerns Among Demographics
While apprehension surrounding sports betting is on the rise among younger demographics, it hasn’t halted overall participation. According to Pew, 36% of men and 29% of women under 30 have engaged in sports betting over the past year. In contrast, only 19% of individuals aged 50 to 64, and 12% of those aged 65 and older, reported the same.
Additional demographic trends indicate that certain groups are more inclined to bet than others, which could lead to risky financial consequences for these higher-frequency bettors.
“Black and Hispanic adults are particularly likely to have placed a wager on sports in the previous year, with rates of 30% and 27%, respectively. Roughly 20% of Asian (22%) and White (19%) adults have also engaged in sports betting,” concludes Pew.