New York State and Online Sports Betting
Introduction to Online Sports Betting
New York State legalized online sports betting in early 2022, and now, a new Siena Research Institute Poll is providing insight into how New Yorkers feel about this practice. The poll found that people are pretty evenly divided on the issue, with 39% believing that online sports betting regulates and taxes a formerly illegal activity while adding more entertainment for fans. On the other hand, 37% say it increases problem-gambling risks, financial hardship, and threatens the integrity of games.
The Divide on Online Sports Betting
Despite the divide, a majority (54-25%) of those polled agree that commentators should not be allowed to talk about sports gambling and potential bets during live game broadcasts. This suggests that while New Yorkers are divided on the issue of online sports betting, they are more united in their belief that sports commentary should remain focused on the game itself.
Participation in Sports Betting
When it comes to actually participating in sports betting, Siena researchers found that nearly 20% of all residents bet on football games through an online sportsbook. This number increases to 31% when polling just football fans. A similar number of self-described baseball fans (30%) say they bet on games in that sport, while just 14% of residents in general do so. This indicates that fans of specific sports are more likely to engage in online sports betting.
Fan Engagement and Online Sports Betting
According to Don Levy, SRI’s Director, football season is in full swing, and baseball is drawing more fan interest as the World Series approaches. While more New Yorkers say that they are football fans than baseball fans, nearly half of all New Yorkers and 93% of baseball fans plan to watch the baseball playoffs. Just over 40% regularly watch football games, including 79% of football fans. This high level of engagement among fans suggests that online sports betting is likely to continue to be a significant aspect of the sports landscape in New York State.
Benefits and Risks of Online Sports Betting
Levy noted that while between 14 and 18% of all New Yorkers place bets on baseball or football games with online sportsbooks, nearly a third of fans use online sportsbooks to bet on their favorite sports. Fans are more inclined to see the benefits rather than risks of online sports betting, but both fans and non-fans agree that sports commentators should not be allowed to talk about sports gambling and potential bets during the games. This highlights the complex nature of public opinion on online sports betting, with different perspectives on its impact.
Conclusion
The Siena Poll, conducted in September and including 814 New York residents, provides valuable insights into the attitudes and behaviors of New Yorkers regarding online sports betting. With a margin of error of +/- 3/7%, the poll suggests that while there is a divide on the issue, there is also a significant level of engagement and participation in online sports betting among fans. As the sports landscape continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor public opinion and the impact of online sports betting on New York State.
