The survey, conducted online by Kantar between July 31 and August 9, included responses from 2,000 voters across the nation. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), the results highlighted several positive trends regarding consumer trust in the casino and sports betting industries.
Overall, 75% of respondents agreed that the gaming industry “acts responsibly in the communities where it operates.” Specifically, 90% viewed sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment, and 75% supported the legalization of sports betting in their state. Currently, sports betting is legal in 38 states plus Washington, DC, with no new markets legalizing wagering this year.
The AGA survey focused on responsible gambling, revealing that 65% of respondents believe the U.S. gaming industry is sincere in its responsible gambling efforts, an increase from 55% last year. Among active casino goers, this figure rose to 81%, and among active sports bettors, it climbed to 88%, up from 70% and 78% respectively in the previous year.
Positive sentiment for RG ads, programmes, resources
The survey revealed that both American bettors and non-bettors are developing increasingly positive views regarding operators’ responsible gambling (RG) advertising, an area that has historically been contentious.
This year, nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said they believe that the gaming industry is “truthful in its marketing and advertising,” marking a 7% increase from last year. Additionally, 73% felt that the industry’s marketing efforts are responsible, a 5% rise year-over-year. This comes shortly after a class-action lawsuit against DraftKings for deceptive advertising was allowed to proceed in Massachusetts.
The perceived effectiveness of RG programs also saw improvements. Similar to the findings on advertising, 66% of respondents believed these programs were effective, reflecting a 7% increase from the previous year. Among existing bettors, 79% of casino patrons and 85% of sports bettors agreed with this sentiment.
Lastly, the survey highlighted increased familiarity with RG resources. Three-quarters (76%) of overall respondents were familiar with at least one RG resource, up from 65% in 2022. Awareness was particularly high among active sports bettors, with 96% being familiar with RG resources, compared to 92% of casino patrons.
“The gaming industry’s responsibility efforts are stronger than ever and consumers are noticing,” Maloney added. “As we embark on another Responsible Gaming Education Month, we’re more energised than ever to continue our work to give consumers the legal, safe and fun gaming experiences that they want and deserve.”
