Data Shows That Americans Believe There’s Excess Promotion for Sportsbook

By Matt Speakman,
Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

Matt Speakman Betting Expert at online-gambling.com

A die-hard fan of the Patriots, Matt Speakman is an expert on everything related to sports betting and DFS sites. Over the years, he has proven a valuable asset for our team at online-gambling.com. You can find Speakman's professional tips and tricks in any of his many articles on the website.

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Last updated: October 3, 2022

The operators of US sportsbooks should take note of a recent YouGov report. According to a report published by the international research and analytics firm last month, 45% of US survey participants agree somewhat or strongly that there’s an excess promotion for sportsbooks (22% tend to agree, 23% strongly agree).

Although that is less than most of the other countries surveyed by YouGov, 35% of Americans said they weren’t certain. This was the highest percentage of undecideds in all 15 countries mentioned in the report. Oliver Rowe, who is the head of entertainment and leisure for YouGov, told Casino.org that although attitudes toward gambling are more permissive in the US, the high negative numbers may have an impact on sponsorships and advertising.

Additionally, very few people surveyed believe operators cared about players. Only 3% of US gamblers strongly agreed, and only 8% somewhat agreed that online gaming companies look out for the well-being of their customers. In contrast, 47% strongly agreed that those companies do not act in the best interests of the players.

Sportsbooks Adopting a Proactive Strategy

The belief that some players have that gambling can be “a side hustle” for them, particularly during times of economic uncertainty like this one, is another issue that Oliver Rowe said gaming companies should try to address.

Some of the top US operators in the regulated markets are already trying to bolster their responsible gambling messaging. Earlier this month, pro wrestler The Miz and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk was featured in a DraftKings campaign.

FanDuel mentioned that boxing champion Amanda Serrano, and WFAN host, Craig Carton, would serve as ambassadors for responsible gaming. Additionally, some operators have declared they will reduce their future advertising spending. According to Rowe, operators are likely taking these measures to avoid stricter government regulation.

The Second Report Has a More Pleasing News for Us Sportsbooks

Another report was released by YouGov some weeks ago. This report, which looked at US gaming in the 2nd quarter of the year had more good news for operators. Four of the top five sports for US gamblers recorded year-to-year increases. For example, 25% of those polled said they regularly bet on NFL games, up from 20% in the 2nd quarter of 2021.

Additionally, the survey discovered that 22% of respondents bet on the NBA, an increase of 3%. Betting on soccer increased from 14% to 16%, while horse racing went from 12% to 13%. For both quarters, baseball was 15%. Another component of the survey was a profile of those who bet on the NFL. YouGov reports that the average pro football bettor is middle-aged (between the ages of 45 and 65), likely to reside in the Midwest and a college graduate.

Additionally, they watch sports on television more frequently (72%, as opposed to 40% of other sports gamblers). About 77% of the participants in the research have said that betting on a game makes it more exciting to watch. This is more than 55% of other gamblers.