US Gamblers Express Deep Distrust Following Betting Scandals

High Awareness and Loss of NBA Trust

The digital survey gathered responses from 500 U.S. sports gamblers between November 3–5, 2025. To take part, respondents had to confirm they had placed a sports wager in the past year. The study revealed that most players were fully aware of recent issues.

Four out of five U.S. sports gamblers, or 80.7%, knew about the recent NBA betting investigations involving players and coaches. This high awareness led directly to a major drop in confidence.

Nearly 79.1% of players said these reports hurt their trust in the integrity of NBA games. For 38.2% of respondents, the investigations affected their trust “a lot.” Men reported slightly higher awareness, at 85.5%, compared to 71.4% of women.

Polarized Betting Behavior and League Shifts

The scandal created a divided response among gamblers regarding their future NBA betting habits. 35.7% of respondents said the scandal makes them less likely to bet on NBA games. However, 29.0% said they were more likely to bet, suggesting the controversy sparked interest for some. The remaining 34.6% reported no change.

The decision to cut back on NBA betting increased significantly with age. More than half of older players (52.7% of those 55 or older) are less likely to bet on the NBA. This contrasts with only 33.2% in the 18–34 age group.

Among the gamblers who plan to decrease their NBA wagers, 45.1% plan to move their betting activity to other major U.S. professional leagues. The NFL is the dominant alternative, chosen by 81.0% of those planning to shift their bets. About two-fifths of players also expect to move to college football or basketball. Younger players, aged 18–34, are nearly twice as likely to increase bets on college sports compared to players aged 55 and older.

Widespread Fear of Corruption and Oversight Demand

The findings show that players see the NBA scandal not as an isolated incident, but as a sign of broader corruption. Three out of four U.S. gamblers (75.1%) are concerned that gambling corruption is spreading beyond the current NBA scandal. Among them, 35.3% are “very concerned.” This worry also extends to college sports integrity, as 75.6% questioned the fairness of college athletics after reports of violations and rules delays by the NCAA.

Most gamblers believe that individual players and coaches should be held most responsible for betting violations, a view held by 46.8%. However, younger players (18–34) are more likely to demand accountability from betting platforms, at 17.8%.

Support for stronger regulatory action is overwhelming. 84.0% of players support tougher oversight and enforcement of professional sports gambling rules. Furthermore, 44.4% “strongly support” these measures. The poll also noted that 68.3% of players worry that sports betting advertisements may encourage risky or unethical behavior.