A new American Gaming Association (AGA) survey shows that 85% of Americans now support the ending of the federal ban on sports betting which took place five years ago. In contrast, 2019 saw just 63% of Americans in favor of repealing the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The US Supreme Court struck down the Act in May 2018.
39.2 million adult Americans placed a sports bet over the past year
According to the AGA survey, about 39.2 million adult Americans placed a sports bet over the past year, with 77% of people supporting the legalization of sports wagering in their own state. Of those people who place bets, 78% of them do so mainly through regulated operators.
The portion of online bets that now go through regulated platforms is 77%, a rise of 33% from 2019. Some of the main reasons why people prefer legal sportsbooks are confidence in getting payouts, easier payment options, better security, and the availability of problem gambling resources.
Since the ending of the federal ban, Americans have wagered $220bn legally. This has generated local and state taxes worth around $3bn. This money often funds important public programs like healthcare and education. To date, 33 states and Washington DC have legal sports betting up and running.