New survey says 18% of online sports bettors lose money needed for living expenses

Tuesday, February 6, 2024 1:58 PM
  • Kevin Schuster, WRGB-TV

A new survey found that 35 percent of Americans bet on sporting events and 19 percent have an online sports betting account.

The survey, which was released by the Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School of Communication, found that 93 percent of those sports bettors find it fun and exciting.

It also found that 85 percent of sports bettors believe gambling makes a game more interesting to watch, and 80 percent think they can make money on those bets.

While the survey showed 19 percent of Americans have a sports betting account, 71 percent of those people said they signed up with a promotion because the money they received when they created the account was free.