A recent poll found that most U.S. adults (60%) think betting on professional sports should be legal in their state, but only about 40% believe it should be for college sports. The survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows that more than half of Americans oppose legalized wagering on college sports.
Professional sports leagues have largely embraced sports betting since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, agreeing to lucrative sponsorship deals with gambling companies. However, many people, like Colleen Plowman from Kansas, believe that younger athletes might not be equipped to handle the pressure and potential misconduct that comes with sports betting.
Despite the growth of legal sports betting in 38 states and D.C., Americans’ willingness to bet on professional or college sports has remained unchanged since 2019. The public appetite for sports betting seems to have decreased, with only about a quarter of U.S. adults “frequently” or “occasionally” betting on either professional or college sports.
Concerns over the impact of sports betting on athletes and potential wrongdoing continue to grow. Recent federal investigations, such as the NBA betting cases involving a suspected gambling ring, highlight the risks associated with legalized wagering in college sports. While some people, like Jodie Campbell from California, think that sports betting should be limited or banned for college events, others believe that both forms of gambling should be legal but with restrictions.
Overall, the poll highlights a divide between Americans’ opinions on betting on professional and college sports. As Missouri prepares to join 38 states and D.C. in allowing sports betting, it remains to be seen how the public will respond to this shift.
Source: https://gvwire.com/2025/03/17/more-than-half-of-us-adults-dont-want-legal-betting-on-college-sports-in-their-state-poll