Siena Poll: Only 22% of New Yorkers View Online Sports Betting as Beneficial for the State
Four years after New York opened the floodgates to mobile sports wagering, public enthusiasm across the state appears to be cooling. A Siena Research Institute survey released today shows that nearly double the number of state residents believe online sports betting is detrimental to New York compared to those who view it as a positive addition.
The figures reveal a growing friction between the state’s record-setting tax receipts and widespread public weariness over gambling saturation, particularly across sports broadcasts and digital media.
Public Backlash Mounts Against New York’s $1.3 Billion Sports Betting Industry
According to the Siena survey, 39% of New York State residents state that online sports gambling is bad for the state, while only 22% consider it good. Another 31% remain neutral, and 8% reported being undecided.
The state collected over $1.3 billion in revenue from mobile sports wagering over the past year, solidifying New York as the largest market in the nation by total revenue. Yet fiscal gains have failed to win over the broader public, exposing a stark divide between active gamblers and the general populace.
| Demographic / Category | View Online Sports Gambling as “Good” | View Online Sports Gambling as “Bad” | Neutral / Undecided |
| All NY State Residents | 22% | 39% | 39% |
| Active Bettors | 49% | — | — |
| Non-Bettors | 14% | — | — |
| Under 50 Years Old | 27% | 33% | 40% |
| 50 Years & Older | 16% | 50% | 34% |
Among residents who actively gamble, nearly half (49%) view the industry positively. That figure plunges to 14% among non-bettors. Generational gaps are equally prominent: half of New Yorkers aged 50 and older consider online sports wagering bad for the state, compared to 33% of residents under 50.
How Empire State Wagerers Place Bets: Online Domination
Siena’s findings confirm that 25% of New Yorkers—one in four adults—placed a wager of any size on a sporting event in the past 12 months. Participation rates skew heavily by gender, with 37% of men admitting to placing a sports wager compared to 14% of women.
Among the active betting population, digital platforms remain the dominant channel:
- 84% placed wagers via online sportsbooks.
- 54% made casual wagers with friends or family.
- 41% bet in person at commercial or tribal casinos.
- 24% utilized independent or local bookies.
- 8% used other wagering avenues.
Smartphone betting apps hold an overwhelming grip on younger demographics. A remarkable 92% of betting men between the ages of 18 and 49 use mobile sportsbooks, alongside 87% of all bettors under 50.
Broadcast Fatigue: Opposition to Betting Ads and Live Commentary
The survey highlights significant consumer irritation regarding the integration of sports betting odds into televised games and sports reporting. A 52% majority of New Yorkers agree that sports commentators making remarks on spreads, money lines, and potential prop bets during live broadcasts is bad for sports. Only 25% consider in-game betting talk positive, while 23% offered no opinion. Resistance peaks among older viewers, with 62% of residents aged 50 and over declaring betting commentary harmful to the viewing experience.
New Yorkers remain tightly split on commercial advertising during games. While 44% believe sportsbooks should be permitted to advertise during live televised sporting events, 43% favor prohibiting sportsbook commercials during live telecasts. Among residents 50 and older, a full 50% support advertising bans.
Responsible Gaming Notice: The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all legal mobile wagering in the state, requiring operators to enforce a strict minimum age limit of 21 for sports betting. If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, confidential support is available 24/7 through the NYS HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or by texting HOPENY (467369).
Also read: Google’s August 2026 Authorized Buyers Gambling Policy Update
Dual Battles in Albany: Lowering Taxes vs. Restricting Ads
The polling data comes at a crucial juncture for lawmakers in Albany, who are weighing competing legislative proposals regarding the state’s gambling environment.
On one front, Assemblymember Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake), chair of the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee, introduced legislation aimed at expanding the market. Her bill proposes increasing the number of legal sports betting licenses while cutting New York’s tax rate on mobile sports wagering gross revenue. Operators currently pay a nation-topping 51% tax rate on gross gaming revenue.
On the opposite front, Assemblymember Robert C. Carroll (D-Brooklyn) introduced a measure seeking to curb advertising exposure by restricting the time slots during which online sportsbook commercials can air on television. Both bills remain under review within the Assembly Racing and Wagering Committee.
As state leaders debate whether to prioritize industry growth or consumer protection, public opinion indicates that any further expansion will face stiff scrutiny from a electorate increasingly skeptical of gambling’s role in modern sports culture.
Sources Quoted
Sourced directly from primary polling crosstabs released by the Siena Research Institute (Loudonville, NY), reporting from Long Island Life & Politics, and regulatory data from the New York State Gaming Commission and the New York State Bar Association.
Leo Falsafi is a digital marketing veteran and senior journalist at Virlan.co, where he covers the intersection of digital marketing, gaming, and breaking US trending news. With nearly two decades of hands-on experience in SEO and digital strategy, Leo has consulted for and scaled hundreds of companies. His deep industry roots allow him to deliver sharp, fact-checked insights and analysis on the trends shaping today's digital landscape.