United States citizens are in favor of more sports betting expansion with a Farleigh Dickinson University Publicmind poll showing support across the board. The poll results released earlier today show 51 percent of registered voters want legalized sports betting in states that don’t currently offer it. That’s an increase from the last time a poll was conducted back in March 2012 when just 39 percent were in support of expansion.
“These national figures are similar to what we’ve seen in our recent polls of New Jersey voters,” said Krista Jenkins, director of the poll and professor of political science at Fairleigh Dickinson University. “New Jersey is moving forward with its plans for sports betting in early 2013, despite federal lawsuits by the NBA, MLB and others to block it,” she added.
The poll results come as New Jersey’s fight to allow legalized sports betting continues to hot up with the professional sports leagues finding out later today if they have the necessary standing to continue their challenge. That’s of course if the Mayans don’t get their way. If that happens none of us will be betting. Less than an hour to go…
FDU’s poll also included figures on states running games online. Only 27 percent supported this – an increase on the 2010 figure of 21 percent – and it goes to show large swathes of the country are still unsure.
“It’s a real crap shoot,” said Jenkins. “On one side are economic benefits to a state, yet on the other is the concern that online gaming will make it too easy for individuals to get caught up in gambling.”
Online gambling is another product that New Jersey is eagerly awaiting with the state’s latest attempt awaiting Governor Chris Christie’s verdict. If he has no objections the state could start to see companies offering online poker in the near future and it will be music to the ears of firms in the iGaming industry.
