The honeymoon might be over.

A new Pew Research poll shows that 43% of American adults now believe legalized sports betting is bad for society — up from 34% in 2022. Additionally, 40% say it's bad for sports specifically, an increase from 33% just three years ago.

For an industry that has spent billions on marketing and lobbying, these numbers are a wake-up call.

The Quick Hit

• The poll: 43% of Americans say legal sports betting is bad for society (up from 34% in 2022)
• For sports: 40% say it's bad for sports (up from 33% in 2022)
• The cause: High-profile scandals, aggressive advertising, and addiction concerns
• The timing: Seven years into widespread legalization

What Changed?

Three things: scandals, saturation, and visibility.

The Terry Rozier arrest in October shocked people. An NBA player allegedly taking $100,000 to leave a game early so gamblers could profit? That's the kind of story that makes casual fans question everything they're watching.

The Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz pitch-fixing allegations in MLB were even worse. Pitchers potentially rigging individual pitches for gamblers? That undermines the integrity of every at-bat. The scandal confirmed every fear critics had about legalized betting enabling corruption.

Add in the constant bombardment of sportsbook commercials — DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, all fighting for market share — and it's no wonder people are getting tired of it.

The Industry Response

Predictably, the industry is downplaying these numbers. Operators point out that the majority of Americans still don't think betting is actively harmful. They note that tax revenue from betting funds schools, infrastructure, and public services.

But the trend line is moving in the wrong direction. Each year since legalization, the percentage of Americans with negative views has crept up. If this continues, the political environment for the industry could change dramatically.

Some states are already responding. Illinois increased its sports betting tax to a tiered structure reaching 40%. Maryland bumped its mobile sports betting tax to 20%. The days of industry-friendly tax rates may be ending.

The Problem Nobody Wants to Talk About

Here's the uncomfortable truth: the business model of sports betting relies on people losing money. And not just losing — losing repeatedly, over time, in ways that can become compulsive.

The most profitable customers aren't casual bettors who throw $20 on their favorite team once a month. They're the people who can't stop. The people who bet their rent. The people who chase losses until they've lost everything.

The industry has responsible gambling initiatives and self-exclusion programs. But critics argue these are window dressing — PR moves designed to ward off regulation while the business model remains unchanged.

What This Means for 2026

If public opinion continues trending negative, expect more restrictive legislation. We could see:

• Higher taxes on sportsbook revenue
• Stricter advertising restrictions (especially during live sports)
• Mandatory funding for addiction treatment programs
• Limits on promotional bonuses and free bets
• Enhanced age verification requirements

Senator Brian Schatz of Hawaii has already proposed federal legislation targeting prop bets specifically, arguing that player performance markets create the most corruption risk. If scandals continue, his bill could gain traction.

The Industry's Real Problem

The scandals aren't the disease. They're the symptom.

When you legalize betting on every pitch, every free throw, every first down, you create millions of opportunities for manipulation. The more granular the betting market, the easier it is to fix. The easier it is to fix, the more likely someone tries.

The industry has pushed for more betting options because more options mean more revenue. But that same expansion is what makes the product vulnerable to corruption. It's a contradiction built into the business model.

The Bottom Line

The public is losing faith in legal sports betting. Whether that translates into real policy changes remains to be seen, but the trend is clear: Americans are increasingly skeptical that this industry is good for society or for sports.

For those of us who love betting, this is uncomfortable news. But it's also a reminder that the industry needs to take integrity seriously — not just as a PR strategy, but as a fundamental business imperative.

Because if the public decides the game is rigged, they'll stop watching. And then we all lose.