IPSOS DATA DROPS:
Boycotts in America
March 2025
Key Takeaways:
Americans have become increasingly concerned about the impact of sports betting. Nearly half believe that sports betting lessens the integrity of the game, up 12 percentage points from 2023.
There is a desire for regulation of sports betting. Three times more Americans agree than disagree that individual sports leagues need to do more to regulate sports betting.
Despite these concerns, the share of Americans who have placed a bet on a live sporting event has doubled since 2023.
A plurality of Americans support banning sports betting ads during games
Nearly half (48%) of Americans support a ban on sports betting ads during games. Sports fans are slightly more likely than the average American to support such a measure.
However, both groups are less supportive of the government taking action to ban these ads. Americans want sports leagues and broadcasters to take the lead, not legislators.
2
The attitude that sports betting lessens the integrity of the game has risen since 2023, especially among sports fans.
When it comes to the perception that sporting events are rigged due to sports gambling, there’s a pronounced generational gap, with older Americans considerably more likely to be concerned.
Concern is growing about sports betting’s impact on the integrity of the game
3
Sports betting has gotten more popular among Americans over time
1
The percentage of Americans that have bet on live sporting events has climbed steadily since 2023.
In 2025, participation hit a new peak, with 17% reporting that they had placed a bet online, in an app, or in person in 2025.
What's Next
Sports betting is no longer a niche issue. Both sports fans and Americans in general are concerned about its impact on the integrity of games, and many want related ads to be banned during games.
Individual leagues need to take charge in regulating sports betting. Most Americans agree that regulation of sports betting is needed. But they’re looking to the leagues, not the government, for leadership and solutions.
Sports betting is here to stay; responsible gaming must follow. The percentage of Americans that have bet on a live sporting event doubled in the past two years. As more people engage with sports betting, platforms must ensure that their users are aware of how to gamble responsibly.
Or visit the Ipsos Consumer Tracker archive and the Ipsos Top Topics page.
Your three-minute briefing on what business leaders need to know about today.
IPSOS DATA DROPS:
Boycotts in America
March 2025
IPSOS DATA DROPs
Sports betting is booming.
Here’s how Americans feel about it.
January 2026
Check out our other DATA DROPS for more compelling data & insights
Sources: Ipsos Nov 2025 Sports Poll, fielded November 7-9, 2025; Ipsos Feb 2025 Sports Poll, fielded February 14-16, 2025; Ipsos 2024 Sports Poll, fielded February 16-18, 2024; Ipsos 2023 Sports Poll, fielded January 13-15, 2023. Base: Nov 2025 All Americans (n=1,024); Feb 2025 All Americans (n=1,026); 2024 All Americans (n=1,039); 2023 All Americans (n=1,035).
Source: Ipsos Nov 2025 Sports Poll, fielded November 7-9, 2025. Base: Nov 2025 All Americans (n=1,024)
Source: Ipsos Nov 2025 Sports Poll, fielded November 7-9, 2025. Base: Nov 2025 All Americans (n=1,024)
DOWNLOAD THE
PPT CHARTS
Want this compelling data in a deck to go?
TO LEARN MORE, CONTACT:
Mallory Newall Vice President mallory.newall@ipsos.com
Johnny Sawyer Senior Research Manager johnny.sawyer@ipsos.com
Bernard Mendez Senior Data Journalist bernard.mendez@ipsos.com
According to the Ipsos Care-o-Meter, about half of Americans had heard about the recent arrests of an NBA player and coach in an FBI gambling investigation.
They cared about this less than most major issues in the news, but more than typical pop culture headlines.
Source: Ipsos Care-o-Meter
How sports betting indictments stack up against other issues in the news
4
Source: Ipsos Nov 2025 Sports Poll, fielded November 7-9, 2025. Base: Nov 2025 All Americans (n=1,024)
Ipsos Public Affairs – Sports Polling