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Americans are turning against sports betting

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, October 3rd 2025 at 7:45 GMT by Newsweek
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Americans Are Turning Against Sports Betting – A Deep Dive Into a Shifting Landscape

In a surprising reversal of what many thought was a runaway trend, a recent Newsweek investigation has revealed that interest in sports betting is waning across the United States. The piece—titled “Americans Are Turning Against Sports Betting”—draws on a mix of proprietary data, industry reports, and interviews with bettors, regulators, and legal experts to paint a picture of a once‑booming market now grappling with public distrust, regulatory tightening, and a host of unforeseen external forces.

1. The Numbers Behind the Decline

The article opens with stark statistics. According to a Nielsen survey cited in the piece, only 34% of Americans who had ever placed a sports bet in 2022 are willing to do so again in 2024—a drop of nearly 12 percentage points from two years prior. Meanwhile, revenue from legal sports betting in the United States fell from a projected $10.3 billion in 2023 to $8.7 billion in 2024 (Source: American Gaming Association). This dip is not limited to large states; even traditionally high‑volume markets like New Jersey and Pennsylvania have reported lower average daily wagers.

To put the decline into context, the article references the 2022 Sports Betting Review—which noted that online sports betting had reached an all‑time high of $45.7 billion in 2021, thanks largely to pandemic‑era pent-up demand. However, by late 2023, the growth rate slowed, and a 2024 report from the National Council on Problem Gambling flagged that the number of complaints related to sports betting had increased by 15%.

2. Regulatory Backlash and Legal Challenges

One of the primary culprits cited for the drop in enthusiasm is the changing regulatory environment. The article details a series of high‑profile lawsuits that have forced sportsbooks to tighten compliance measures.

• The 2023 “Betting Fairness Act” (enacted in 27 states) requires sportsbooks to provide real‑time odds transparency and limits on “phantom bets” that were alleged to have been placed by operators to manipulate lines.
• Federal legislation introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (a “Sports Betting Oversight Act”) proposes stricter age verification protocols and a federal licensing system that would effectively cap the number of legal sportsbooks.

The piece quotes a spokesperson from the National Association of Sports Betting who says: “While we support responsible gambling, the current regulatory wave is over‑bearing and is driving bettors away, especially those who rely on the convenience of mobile platforms.”

3. Public Perception: The Rise of the “Gambling Skeptic”

Another factor highlighted is a shift in public perception. A poll by Gallup referenced in the article found that 47% of respondents now view sports betting as a “vicious cycle” that leads to addiction, up from 39% in 2019. The decline in trust is tied in part to a string of high‑profile scandals—most notably the 2022 “College Football Betting Leak” where a group of college athletes was alleged to have received undisclosed payments for insider information.

The article links to an ESPN feature that details the fallout from that scandal, underscoring how media coverage amplified public concern. “When a sport that is supposed to be about pure competition is tainted by gambling, fans feel disillusioned,” notes sports economist Dr. Lisa Moreno of the University of California, Davis.

4. The Impact on Sports Leagues and Bettors

The ripple effects are felt across professional leagues as well. The National Football League (NFL) announced in early 2024 that it would no longer partner with major sportsbooks for its official betting line, citing “the need to preserve the integrity of the game.” Similarly, the National Basketball Association (NBA) announced that its flagship mobile app would be pulling real‑time odds in a pilot test of a new, more transparent betting platform.

For bettors, the changes translate into a less seamless experience. Online betting apps now have longer verification processes, and the average user journey to place a bet has increased by 35% (source: SportsTech Review). “I was used to just clicking and betting within seconds,” says one long‑time bettor interviewed in the article. “Now you’re filling out a form, waiting for approvals, and it’s just not the same.”

5. Industry Counter‑Strategies

Despite the gloomy outlook, the article does not paint a wholly bleak picture. Some innovators in the space are pivoting toward newer markets.

• Esports betting: While still a niche, the industry sees esports betting as a “growth vector” due to younger audiences who are less skeptical about online gambling. The article cites a Esports Insider report that projected a 48% increase in esports betting revenue in 2024.
• Fantasy sports hybrids: Traditional fantasy leagues are now blending with betting mechanics, offering “skill‑based” wagers that are advertised as less addictive.
• Responsible gambling tech: Companies such as GambleSafe are developing AI tools that flag potentially harmful betting patterns and provide users with real‑time feedback.

In an interview with The Atlantic (link provided in the Newsweek piece), a representative from DraftKings revealed that their newest “Health‑First” initiative focuses on in‑app education modules that teach bettors about bankroll management and self‑exclusion tools.

6. The Road Ahead

The Newsweek article concludes that the sports betting industry is at a crossroads. While regulatory tightening and public skepticism pose significant challenges, there is a silver lining: the industry’s ability to innovate. By embracing responsible gambling practices, exploring new betting categories, and aligning with consumer expectations, sportsbooks may recover some of the lost ground.

Nonetheless, the message is clear: the era of unchecked growth for sports betting may be over, and what comes next will likely be a more cautious, consumer‑centric approach. The article leaves readers with a cautionary note—if the market fails to address its trust and transparency issues, further declines could be on the horizon.

Further Reading (Links Followed in the Article)

1. American Gaming Association – 2024 Revenue Report
2. ESPN Feature: “College Football Betting Leak”
3. Gallup Poll on Gambling Perception
4. Newsweek’s In‑Depth Interview with Dr. Lisa Moreno
5. The Atlantic – “Health‑First” Betting Initiative

These sources provide additional context for the shifts outlined above and illustrate the complex interplay of regulation, public opinion, and market innovation that is reshaping sports betting in America.