Data / Internet Sports Gambling Survey
Internet Sports Gambling Survey
n = 654 · 2026PUBLISHEDPUBLISHED
Fieldwork is complete. Findings, methodology, and the questionnaire are published in full below.
OVERVIEW
Public debate on online sports gambling has focused on addiction, consumer harm, and the adequacy of regulation. This survey shows that concern about addiction is widespread and trust in gambling operators is low, yet support for legalization and participation in betting remain substantial. Participation can persist under low trust where the activity is perceived as voluntary and firm incentives are understood to be partially aligned with user outcomes.
KEY FINDINGS
Concern about gambling addiction is widespread; trust in operators is low.
Support for legalization and actual participation nevertheless remain substantial.
Behavior reflects perceived system legitimacy and voluntariness — not trust in operators alone.
METHODOLOGY
FIELD LOCATION
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
SAMPLE SIZE
654 respondents
COMPOSITION
201 Republicans · 139 Independents · 314 Democrats
SAMPLING FRAME
Recruitment channels developed in prior survey work on risk and regulation
MODE
Online survey with open-ended follow-up
ANALYSIS
Descriptive and interpretive; no causal identification claimed
QUESTIONNAIRE
Q1
Do you support the legalization of sports betting in your state?
Support / Oppose / Unsure
Q2
Have you placed a sports bet online in the past twelve months?
Yes / No
Q3
How much do you trust gambling operators?
Four-point scale
Q4
How much do you trust the regulators overseeing sports betting?
Four-point scale
Q5
How significant a risk do you think gambling addiction poses?
Four-point scale
Q6
In your own words, who is responsible for preventing gambling harm?
Open-ended
Abridged. The full instrument, including open-ended prompts and routing, is available on request.
PUBLICATIONS FROM THIS SURVEY
MEDIA COVERAGE
Coverage of this survey will be listed here as it appears. Media archive →
Support for legalization, by party
Percent of respondents · n = 654
Republicans69.2%
Independents59.0%
Democrats56.7%
Participate — Republicans32.8%
Participate — Democrats26.1%
Participate — Independents25.9%
CGHA Survey Series · Figures illustrative pending final tables
