A recent poll of Minnesota residents found that 48 percent favored legalization of sports betting, and 33 percent were opposed.
According to the poll, which was conducted by the outlets Star Tribune, MPR News and KARE 11 Minnesota, about 20 percent are undecided, per Yogonet Gaming News.
By and large, men favored legalization more than women.
When it came to the major political parties, 53 percent of Democrats, 50 percent of Republicans, and 40 percent of independents supported legalization.
In the Twin Cities metro area, support was right around 50 percent. Northern Minnesota gave 53 percent support, while 39 percent of Southern Minnesotans gave a thumbs up.
Surprisingly, those aged 18-34 showed less support, even though sports betting is said to appeal to younger demographics. On the flip side, those 35-49 were the most likely to support sports betting.
Efforts to pass legislation failed in May when the Senate and House were unable to reach an agreement. Under the House measure, which was crafted with input from the state’s 11 tribal nations, Minnesotans would have been able to place bets at brick-and-mortar locations and online.
In related news, when Ohio launches sports betting on January 1, supporters who expect a flood of wagers to roll in, are going to be disappointed. According to a poll by NBC4, Emerson College and the Hill, 84 percent of Ohioans do not plan to bet on sports.
“I don’t participate, and I don’t agree with it,” voter Pat Ross said.
“I have enough vices already,” voter Paul Vanwagenen said. “I’ll pass on gambling, thank you.”
Eight percent of Ohioans who do plan on wagering on sports say they’ll use a combination of online and in-person betting. Voters like Corey Lancaster said, as long as it’s profitable for Ohio, he is on board.
“I’m not much of a betting man, but I am happy the option is there for the people who do want to engage in it,” Lancaster said.
The state estimates more than $3 billion in revenue after “several years of operation.” But Larry Hanna said sports betting takes away the fun of watching sports and rooting for your team.
“It’s whether they covered the spread and I just think its fueled so much in terms of a negative impact on what purity there was in sports,” he said.
Said Ross, “I think we’re enticing people to have another addiction. And there’s enough addictions out there we have to deal with.”
The state says there is a significant amount of money allocated for addiction issues that may arise. The law also creates a committee to study the relationship between sports gaming and problem gambling.
