55% of Americans support legal sports betting, survey finds

w poll conducted by the Washington Post and the University of Massachusetts Lowell has confirmed that a 55% majority approve of legalising sports betting in the US.

The survey of 1,000 adults revealed that just 33% of individuals surveyed were against this form of gambling. A similar poll conducted by Gallup in 1993, just after the institution of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) revealed that 41% of adults were in favour of sports betting with 56% against its introduction. The results represent a paradigm shift in the perception of US sports betting, which became illegal in all but four states following the adoption of PASPA.

According to the poll, 26% of men and 15% of women have bet on a professional sporting event such as baseball, basketball or football in the last five years. Participation in Daily Fantasy sports contests is at a similar level, with 22% of men and 9% of women surveyed having taken part over the same period.

In a statement, Steve Doty, Director of Media relations at the American Gaming Association said: “Tuesday’s Washington Post poll confirms what we’ve already known, and that is the fact that a majority of Americans want to be able to legally wager on sports. We’ve seen this with recent polling from GQR and we’re seeing overall a growing demand for sports betting.

“It’s time Washington got out of the way, fixed this 25-year old failing ban on sports betting and gave American sports fans what they want: a legal, regulated environment to bet on sports.”