A new Siena University poll suggests many New Yorkers remain skeptical of online sports betting despite the state’s position as the largest regulated betting market in the United States. The survey examines public attitudes toward sports betting, advertising, and gambling-related content during broadcasts. It provides a snapshot of how residents view the industry’s impact several years after legalization.
The Siena University poll found that 39% of respondents said online sports gambling has been bad for New York, compared with 22% who said it has been good, while 31% believed it has had little or no impact.
Despite those views, 25% of New Yorkers reported placing at least one sports bet during the past year. Among those bettors, 84% said they used online sportsbooks, making them by far the most commonly used betting platform. Other wagering methods included betting with friends or family (54%), casinos (41%), and bookies (24%).
With 24% of respondents saying they still placed bets with a bookie, that is problematic. This figure is notable because bookmaking outside New York’s regulated sports betting market is illegal and lacks the consumer safeguards required of licensed operators.
Unlike regulated sportsbooks, illegal bookies are not subject to state oversight, responsible gambling requirements, age verification standards, or guaranteed payout rules. The survey result suggests that, despite the availability of legal online sportsbooks, a significant share of bettors continues to use unregulated channels.
The finding may reinforce the need for continued responsible gambling education and consumer awareness efforts in New York. Encouraging bettors to use licensed operators can provide stronger protections and access to responsible gaming tools that are completely unavailable through illegal bookmakers.
The survey also examined opinions on sports betting’s presence during televised games. Respondents were nearly evenly divided on whether online sportsbooks should be allowed to advertise during sporting events, with 44% in favor and 43% opposed. However, a majority (52%) said commentators discussing betting odds and wagers during live broadcasts is bad for sports.
The results also pointed to a clear generational divide. New Yorkers under the age of 50 expressed more favorable views of online sports betting than older residents. Those 50 and older were significantly more likely to oppose sportsbook advertising during games and view gambling-related commentary on broadcasts negatively.
The Siena University findings mirror the results of another recent survey that found many Americans believe sports betting advertising has become too prominent. Earlier this year, a Sacred Heart University poll found that nearly half of respondents felt sportsbook advertisements appear too frequently during sports broadcasts.
Others also expressed concern about the volume of betting promotions surrounding major events such as March Madness. More than half of those surveyed also said they were worried about the impact of sports betting advertising on younger viewers.
Taken together, the two polls suggest that public concerns extend beyond sports betting itself. While opinions on legalized wagering remain mixed, there appears to be growing concern about how frequently betting is promoted during live sporting events.
