Americans want legal sports betting, AGA research shows

If any U.S. legislators are thinking about clawing back on sports betting, they better think twice. A new piece of research released by the American Gaming Association (AGA) reveals that 63% of Americans support the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the federal ban on sports betting.

An overwhelming majority also support the rapid rollout of sports betting legislation. 79% of Americans surveyed support having legalized sports betting in their respective state. With sports betting either legal, or with bills on the way in 36 states already, American legislators are looking to please their constituents as soon as possible, while benefiting from the increased tax revenues that will follow as well.

66% of Americans want to keep sports betting legislation with the states. Although Congress is probably preoccupied with other items anyway, this type of opposition to a federal bill will likely keep the one proposed last year by Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer on hold for a while longer.

Most of the major leagues are pushing for “integrity fees,” to mixed results. Only 23% of Americans support that idea, whereas 55% oppose it. With there already being lots of good questions over why the leagues would deserve any extra money when they can’t even deliver their product now without flaws, the opposition appears to be warranted.