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Growing Skepticism: 43% See Sports Betting as Harmful

10/4/2025

44 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Pew Research reports rising skepticism about legalized sports betting in the U.S.; 43% view it as harmful to society, up from 34% in 2022.
Forty percent say it negatively impacts sports, up from 33%.
The July–August 2025 survey included 9,916 adults; participation sits at 22%, with online betting rising.
Disapproval is strongest among younger groups, especially men under 30, rising from 22% to 47%.

History

Historical Context

The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) of 1992 banned sports betting in most U.S. states, but the Supreme Court's 2018 ruling in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association deemed it unconstitutional. This led to a surge in legal sports betting, with states like New Jersey reporting a 30% revenue increase, while public skepticism about its impact has grown, echoing concerns from the early 1990s.

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Story summary

Pew Research reports rising skepticism about legalized sports betting in the U.S.; 43% view it as harmful to society, up from 34% in 2022.
Forty percent say it negatively impacts sports, up from 33%.
The July–August 2025 survey included 9,916 adults; participation sits at 22%, with online betting rising.
Disapproval is strongest among younger groups, especially men under 30, rising from 22% to 47%.

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