New research shows that almost three-quarters of Americans back legalized sports betting in their state.
A study commissioned by the American Gaming Association (AGA) shows that 73% of adults support regulated wagering in their region, while two-thirds view the industry as a positive economic contributor (65%) that provides high-quality jobs (64%).
The number of Americans who say that the gaming industry is committed to responsible gaming has increased by more than 40% since 2018. Three-quarters (78%) of past-year gamblers in the US are aware of at least one responsible gaming resource, with 43% aware of phone of text helplines and 33% aware of counselling or telehealth support.
US citizens also see gaming as a good community partner, with nearly seven in 10 believing the gaming industry behaves responsibly and a majority (57%) believe the industry gives back in the communities where it operates. In 2019, 49% of American adults had a favorable view of the casino gaming industry, with that figure at just 34% in 2010.
“We are a committed, responsible partner and economic driver in communities across the country,” said Bill Miller, the AGA’s president and chief executive. “Because of this, we’ve risen from the most devastating period in our history and embarked on a record-setting comeback.”
The 2021 figures, taken from a survey of 2,000 people over the summer, come at the start of the national Responsible Gaming Education Week (RGEW) from 19-25 September.
“Responsible Gaming Education Week provides an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work our members and industry do every day to invest in responsible gaming education,” said Miller. “As legal gaming expands to new geographies and verticals, everyone engaged with legal gaming must work together to grow responsibly—our collective success depends on it.”