AGA legalisation research Rev_Public AGA National Poll Memo 042417 FINAL (1) | Page 4

Legalizing Sports Betting: A Winning Wager
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o Religious opposition to sports betting is significant, but not overwhelming:
28 percent of non-bettors do not bet on sports because it’s against their
values. Another 32 percent do not bet on sports because they have no
interest in sports, and substantial numbers do not bet because they lack
disposable income (24 percent) or are concerned they would lose money
(19 percent).
 A majority of Americans are uninformed, or misinformed, about the legal
landscape. Only 38 percent of adults – and 26 percent of millennials – realize
that sports betting is not legal in most of the country.
 Legalization receives broad, bipartisan support. The coalition in favor of
legalization includes 52 percent of Democrats, 57 percent of independents, and
58 percent of Republicans; 55 percent of liberals and 54 percent of
conservatives; 50 percent of Clinton voters and 61 percent of Trump voters. Few
other issues attract such clear support from Americans across party lines.
 Legal sports betting would increase fan activity, enjoyment, and
engagement. Nearly all sports bettors report that when they bet on sports, they
are more likely to watch a game (92 percent), talk with people about a game (82
percent), follow teams and players more closely (80 percent), and find a game
more fun and enjoyable (79 percent).
 Sports fans want to legalize sports betting. A clear majority of fans of every
major sport support legalization.
Table 2: Support for Legalization among Fans
Sport
NFL
MLB
NCAA Football
NBA
NCAA Basketball
Soccer
Auto Racing
NHL
Golf
% of
Americans
who are fans
70
53
52
47
42
32
30
29
25
% of
support
among fans
59
60
59
58
58
64
64
67
64
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% of Americans
who are avid
fans
33
19
20
15
12
9
7
7
6
% support
among avid
fans
64
67
67
60
61
71
71
73
71
April, 2017