More TV watching predicted as US gambling scene changes

The change in the legislation in the USA regarding betting could spur numerous new phenomena. The newest of such changes is the chance of more people watching sports live on TV, as per a study by National Research Group (NRG).

In the study, 79 per cent of current and potential gamblers said they would watch more sports live.

While most people are likely to watch their usual favourite sports, 63 per cent said they would watch the sports that they were not following because they want to bet on those sports. As for betting, most of the potential gamblers said they are likely to bet on the National Football League and the National Basketball Association.

Among both current and potential gamblers, Fox Sports and ESPN are seen as the networks that best fit with sports gambling programming, NRG said.

The survey found that 42 per cent of those who watch sports programming currently wager on games, getting $82 per wager on average.

Nearly half of those viewers expect to gamble more often if gambling were to be legalised nationwide.

For viewers not currently gambling on sports, 27 per cent said they would like to bet on sports if it were to become legalised nationwide.

Last month the Supreme Court ruled that a law preventing wagering on professional and college sports was unconstitutional, opening the door to states legalizing gambling.

NRG’s poll of 1010 Americas found that about 60 per cent of American approve of sports gambling.

More Americans – 66 per cent – found betting on professional sports palatable than on college or amateur sports – 50 per cent.

Men were more likely to approve of sports gambling than women by 69–51 per cent.

Source: broadcastingcable.com