With Responsible Gaming Education Month set for September, a new survey from the American Gaming Association (AGA) reports that Americans are increasingly embracing casino gaming and sports betting as acceptable forms of entertainment and responsible industries.
The results come ahead of the seventh NFL season with widespread legal wagering. The survey found that 75% of Americans believe the gaming industry behaves responsibly in the communities where it operates. Additionally, nine in 10 Americans view sports betting as an acceptable form of entertainment and 75% support legal sports betting in their home state.
“These latest survey results highlight a consistent trend over the years: as gaming expands to new audiences, Americans increasingly see the benefits of a legal, regulated gaming marketplace that contributes to communities, prioritizes responsibility and provides unmatched entertainment,” AGA Senior Vice President of Strategic Communications Joe Maloney said.
Responsible Gaming
The study reveals particular increases in favorable views toward the industry’s commitments to responsible gaming, with 65% of Americans now saying the industry is committed to encouraging responsible gaming and combating problem gambling. This is a notable increase from 55% last year.
This confidence is even stronger among those who engage with the industry directly, with 81% of physical casino players and 88% of sports bettors agreeing with this sentiment toward responsible gaming, up from 70% and 78%, respectively last year. This sentiment is driven by increased perceptions across several areas including:
- Responsible marketing and advertising – 65% of respondents believe the industry is truthful in its marketing and advertising, up from 58% last year. Additionally, 73% view the industry as responsible in its marketing efforts, up from 68% in 2022.
- Effectiveness of responsible gaming programs – 66% believe the gaming industry’s responsible gaming programs are effective, up from 59% last year. Among those who participate in gaming, 79% of physical casino players and 85% of sports bettors agree these programs are effective.
- Increased awareness of responsible gaming messages – The study found a significant rise in the number of Americans exposed to responsible gaming information – 46% of land-based casino players and 57% of sports bettors noted an increase in responsible gaming messaging. Also, 66% say they have encountered responsible gaming messaging in the past year, up from 56% in 2022.
- Familiarity with responsible gaming resources – Awareness of responsible gaming resources has grown, with 76% familiar with at least one resource, up from 65% in 2022. Awareness is particularly high among industry participants, with 92% of land-based players and 96% of sports bettors familiar with at least one resource.
“The gaming industry’s responsibility efforts are stronger than ever, and consumers are noticing,” Maloney said. “As we embark on another Responsible Gaming Education Month, we’re more energized than ever to continue our work to give consumers the legal, safe and fun gaming experiences that they want and deserve.”
The news comes as the gaming industry continues setting records. The American gaming market saw a record $17.63 billion in revenue in the second quarter of this year.