A new poll in Indiana, conducted by Pantheon Insight for the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), showed that most respondents opposed legalising online casino gambling.
The survey found that opposition increased as respondents learned more about the issue, suggesting strong public resistance toward expanding digital gambling access in the state.
The poll of 502 registered Indiana voters, carried out between 19 and 21 October, revealed that 65% were initially unfamiliar with the term iGaming.
When it was explained that it refers to round-the-clock access to slot and table games via smartphones or other devices, 58% of those polled said they opposed its legalisation.
When additional information about potential economic and mental health effects from other states was presented, opposition climbed to 67%, with 49% expressing strong opposition.
Resistance was consistent across political and demographic groups, according to the survey.
Seniors (82%), women (72%), college graduates (72%), Republicans (68%), and Democrats (70%) all showed significant concern about legalising iGaming.
Even in counties that already host physical casinos, 59% of voters opposed expanding into online gambling after learning about the associated risks.
NAAiG representatives argued the findings indicate widespread scepticism toward iGaming, regardless of political affiliation or regional location.
American Gaming Association survey provides different take
The release of this survey coincides with contrasting national data from the American Gaming Association (AGA).
While this survey did not focus exclusively on Indiana or iGaming, it painted a far more favourable picture of public attitudes toward gambling in general.
According to AGA’s 2025 research, more Americans than ever have engaged in gaming-related entertainment in the past year.
The report found that 57% of US adults participated in some form of gambling, with 30% visiting physical casinos and 21% placing sports bets.
It suggested that in total, 134 million adults – about 53% of the population – visited a casino for gambling or entertainment purposes, marking the highest level of engagement on record.
AGA’s data also showed widespread acceptance of gambling, with 90% of Americans viewing casino gaming as acceptable and 62% considering it personally acceptable.
Furthermore, 77% of respondents said they believed the industry benefits the national economy, while 74% support legal, regulated sports betting for adults in their state.
The association highlighted a rise in public exposure to responsible gaming information, with 72% of Americans reporting they encountered such messaging in the past year, up from 56% in 2022.
Taken together, the two studies underscore a clear contrast in how Americans perceive gambling.
The NAAiG findings emphasise voter apprehension and social concerns surrounding the expansion of iGaming, while the AGA results depict a growing normalisation of gambling within US culture.
However, the results show that there remains a certain bias ingrained in gambling research, which may hinder the ability to form an accurate overview of how regulations and reforms should be implemented.
Dingnews.com 07/11/2025