BRP: Sports betting in the Commonwealth

THE BIG RED POLL 

Sports Betting in the Commonwealth

March 10, 2022

Joel Turner, Ph.D., Director

Scott Lasley, Ph.D., Associate Director

WKU Department of Political Science

Political Behavior Lab

and WKU Center for Local Governments

 

Executive Summary

SPORTS GAMBLING SURVEY
The Western Kentucky University Political Behavior Lab and the Center for Local Governments conducted the Big Red Poll, an online survey of 690 Kentuckians conducted December 1-9, 2021. The survey was conducted via a sample provided by Qualtrics. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4%. 

SPORTS GAMBLING

Sports gambling enjoys significant support across the Commonwealth, as 73% of Kentuckians indicated that they support the sports gambling in Kentucky, while only 27% of respondents disapprove of allowing sports gambling in the state.  Support for sports gambling is also consistent across political lines.  From a partisan standpoint, 77% of Democrats, 73% of Independents, and 70% of Republicans support sports gambling.  Ideologically speaking, 82% of liberals, 76% of moderates, and 64% of conservatives support legalizing sports betting.  Perhaps most surprisingly, 58% of self-described Evangelicals support legalization of sports betting in the state, as opposed to 42% that oppose it. 

Sports gambling also enjoys broad support from a demographic standpoint.  The policy receives support 76% of male respondents and 71% of female respondents.  Sports gambling also enjoys broad support among all age categories, with the strongest being among those 18-34 (81%) and the weakest being among those 65+ (64%).  Among income levels, although sports gambling enjoys it strongest support among those making $100,000 or more (85%), it also enjoys significant support among those making between $50,000 and $100,000 (73%) and those making less than $50,000 (72%).  Finally, sports gambling enjoys strong support across all educational categories, ranging from a low of 66% among those with a high school diploma or less to a high of 79% among those with a college degree.

HOW IS THE MONEY SPENT?

Within the survey we embedded an experiment to determine if support for sports betting wavered depending upon how the money generated was spent.  Four scenarios were presented to respondents:  simply raising revenue for a nondescript purpose, using money generated to lower taxes, using money generated for additional K-12 spending, and using it for college scholarships.  Support for sports betting remained high in all four scenarios.  The highest level of support was demonstrated when the money was to be used to lower taxes (73%).  71% supported sports betting if the money was used for a nondescript purpose, and 67% supported the policy if monies would be used to fund either K-12 education or college scholarships.

ADDITIONAL TYPES OF GAMBLING

To gain additional insight, we also asked Kentuckians their opinions regarding Vegas-style casino gambling (including table games) and pari-mutuel betting (including horse racing).  As was the case with sports betting, both policy proposals enjoyed broad support in the Commonwealth.  Specifically, 70% of respondents indicated they supported casino style gambling, while 30% opposed the policy.  Also, 75% of respondents indicated support for pari-mutuel betting, while 25% opposed it.

METHODOLOGY

Data was collected for this survey via an online methodology.  The sample for this survey was acquired from Qualtrics.  The survey was in the field from December 1-9, 2021.  The sample size was 690, which produced a margin of error of +/- 4%.  Additional questions regarding methodology can be directed to Joel Turner at joel.turner@wku.edu.

ABOUT THE WKU POLITICAL BEHAVIOR LAB

The WKU Political Behavior Lab was created by Joel Turner and Scott Lasley in 2021 with the support of the WKU Political Science Department.  The Political Behavior Lab was created to facilitate faculty and students research of all types in all areas of political behavior and public opinion.  For the latest news on what is happening at the WKU PBL follow us on Twitter (@WKUPBL).

ABOUT THE WKU CENTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

The Center for Local Governments collaborates with local governments and related organizations to help find solutions for challenges they are facing. The Center conducts applied research and provides practical assistance to local governments and organizations. Visit https://www.wku.edu/political-science/clg.php to learn more.

APPROVAL SPORTS BETTING
Would you approve or disapprove of the following types of gambling in Kentucky – sports betting? 
Approve                                                          73%
Disapprove                                                      27%
 
APPROVAL VEGAS STYLE CASINO GAMES
Would you approve or disapprove of the following types of gambling in Kentucky – Vegas-style casino games (including table games)?
Approve                                                          70%
Disapprove                                                      27%
 
APPROVAL PARI-MUTUEL BETTING
Would you approve or disapprove of the following types of gambling in Kentucky – pari-mutuel betting (such as betting on horse races)?
Approve                                                          75%
Disapprove                                                      27%
 
SPORTS BETTING REVENUE SCENARIO
As you may know some states legalize betting in order to raise revenues.  Please tell me whether you would approve or disapprove legalizing each of the following types of betting in your state to raise additional revenue. - Sports betting
Approve                                                          71%
Disapprove                                                      29%
 
SPORTS BETTING LOWER TAXES SCENARIO
As you may know some states legalize betting in order to raise revenues.  Please tell me whether you would approve or disapprove legalizing each of the following types of betting in your state if the revenue was used to lower taxes. - Sports betting
Approve                                                          73%
Disapprove                                                      27%
 
SPORTS BETTING K-12 SPENDING SCENARIO
As you may know some states legalize betting in order to raise revenues.  Please tell me whether you would approve or disapprove legalizing each of the following types of betting in your state if the revenue was used to support K-12 education. - Sports betting
Approve                                                          67%
Disapprove                                                      33%
 
SPORTS BETTING K-12 SPENDING SCENARIO
As you may know some states legalize betting in order to raise revenues.  Please tell me whether you would approve or disapprove legalizing each of the following types of betting in your state if the revenue was used to support college scholarships. - Sports betting
Approve                                                          67%
Disapprove                                                      33%
 
PARTY IDENTIFICATION
Do you consider yourself to be a Republican, Democrat, or Independent?
Democrat                                                        32%
Independent                                                    30%
Republican                                                      38%
 
IDEOLOGY
Do you consider yourself to be a liberal, moderate, or conservative?
Liberal                                                            20%
Moderate                                                         35%
Conservative                                                   47%
 
GENDER
Do you describe yourself as a man, woman, or in some other way?
Man                                                                 47%
Woman                                                           52%
Some other way                                                1%
 
EDUCATION
What is the highest level of formal education you completed?
High School Graduate or less                         37%
Some College                                                   7%
College Degree                                               16%
Post-Graduate Degree                                       7%
 
RACE
Would you describe your race as White, African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian American, Biracial, or something else?
White                                                              86%
African-American                                          11%
Hispanic                                                            2%
Other                                                                 1%
 
AGE
What is your age?
18-34                                                               30%
35-49                                                               28%
50-64                                                               26%
65+                                                                  16%
 
INCOME
Is your annual household income less than 25,000; 25,000 to less than 50,000; 50,000 to less than 75,000; 75,000 to less than 100,000; 100,000 or more?
Less to <50,000                                              62%
50,000 to <100,000                                         27%
100,000 or more                                             7%
Refused                                                           4%