Lynnae is a journalist covering the intersection of technology, culture, and gambling. She has more than five years of experience as a writer and editor, with bylines at SlashGear and MakeUseOf. On the iGaming side,...
Read Full BioThe aftershocks of the NBA betting scandal continue to ripple outward as new polling shows that sports gamblers in the United States are becoming increasingly uneasy about the integrity of professional sports.
A new poll from Sacred Heart University and GreatBlue Research of U.S. sports bettors, conducted from November 3 to 5, found that trust in NBA games has taken a significant hit, with the fallout already shaping how, where, and whether people plan to place bets in the coming months.
According to the poll, a large portion of the betting public is aware of the scandal that has engulfed the NBA since Miami Heat guard Terry Rozier, Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups, and former NBA player and assistant coach Damon Jones were indicted in federal gambling investigations.
While some bettors claim to be steering clear of NBA markets, others are shifting their attention to the NFL and college sports, offering insight into how integrity issues in one league can influence behavior across multiple sports.
Trust in NBA Integrity Takes a Major Hit
The SHU study found that four in five sports bettors (80.7%) had heard about the NBA’s ongoing investigations into alleged gambling violations involving players and coaches. Almost the same number (79.1%) said the scandal has damaged their trust in the integrity of NBA games, with 38.2% saying it has impacted their trust “a lot.”
Awareness and concern about the gambling scandal weren’t limited to a single demographic. However, men were somewhat more likely to say the investigations had impacted their trust, while college graduates were more likely to have heard about the scandal.
The widespread awareness of the scandal and the response to it suggest that bettors don’t view it as a one-off thing, but more as something with real consequences for the league.
The poll also highlights the extent to which this decline in trust is linked to broader concerns about corruption in sports. According to the survey, 75.1% of respondents believe that gambling misconduct is more widespread than what current investigations into the NBA suggest. And 75.6% say recent NCAA betting cases have made them question the integrity of college sports as well.
Bettors Split on NBA as Some Move to NFL & College Sports
The NFL has managed to escape the current wave of betting scandals and wants to maintain that status quo, if a letter it recently sent to all 32 teams on limiting prop bets is any indication.
Turns out, the NFL may stand to benefit from disaffected NBA bettors, as 35.7% say they’re less likely to bet on NBA games. However, an almost equal number, 29%, say they’re more likely to wager on the league’s games, suggesting that bettors are divided on the issue, which could be a sign of polarization within the gambling community. Almost 35% said the scandal hasn’t changed their habits.
The NFL is the top destination for bettors taking a step back from NBA betting, according to the poll. Andrew Miller, director of SHU’s Sports Communication & Media Graduate Program, reacted to these results, saying, “The kneejerk reaction among nearly a third of respondents to switch, at least temporarily, from betting on NBA games isn’t surprising.” He added: “What was interesting is how many—close to 30%—said they’re now more likely to bet on NBA games, perhaps assuming games will be more closely monitored.”
A smaller number (28%) of the respondents said the NBA scandal has led them to bet less on sports overall. Just over half of that group says they plan to cut back on all gambling, while one in three might move to casinos, slots, or the lottery, and 16.4% might shift to online gaming or poker.
Strong Appetite for Accountability & Regulation
The SHU poll shows that most bettors want to see tighter oversight in professional sports, with 84% saying they support stricter oversight in response to the NBA scandal, including 44.4% who “strongly support” more regulation.
However, there are differing opinions on who should be held responsible for gambling violations. Nearly half (46.8%) of the respondents believe that players and coaches should face the most accountability for gambling violations. Another 20% place the greatest responsibility on leagues, while 13.4% point to sportsbooks and betting platforms.
Respondents’ opinions on who should be held accountable varied significantly by age: older bettors are much more likely to blame players and coaches. In contrast, younger respondents are more likely to say betting platforms should share accountability.
Besides concerns about integrity within the NBA and other sports leagues, SHU researchers found that respondents were increasingly concerned about sports betting advertising.
Around seven in 10 bettors (68.3%) said they were at least somewhat concerned that advertising could encourage risky or unethical behavior, including 30.3% who say they are “very concerned.” These results come as sportsbooks shift their advertising spending toward the NBA and MLB, seeking greater cost efficiency.
How SHU Poll Compares With Other Recent Studies
Two other national polls, one from Quinnipiac University and another from YouGov, have been released since the NBA betting scandal broke, with both also showing sharp declines in trust around betting and player conduct.
The Quinnipiac poll, released in early November, found that one-third of Americans believe NBA players and coaches engage in illegal activities to influence bets. Almost seven in 10 of those surveyed believe that player and coach involvement in sports betting is problematic, and nearly half of Americans have little to no confidence in the fairness of NBA games. Respondents also expressed skepticism about Commissioner Adam Silver’s ability to handle the crisis.
According to the YouGov poll, released the first week of November, 65% of Americans believe that professional athletes sometimes or often alter their play to help sports bettors win wagers. Those who bet on sports were the most skeptical, reporting higher levels of distrust than non-bettors.
There’s a clear pattern across all three polls: trust in athletes, leagues, and the sports betting system is declining. While most Americans support legal, regulated sports betting, the polls suggest that confidence in the integrity of the games, the foundation on which the industry sits, is starting to weaken.
