Nearly half of U.S. gamblers say they’ve experienced or suspected unfair practices — and most don’t fully trust sportsbooks to pay out their winnings, according to a new national survey from SuretyNow.
Unfair Practices are Common
Only 53% of respondents said they’ve never experienced or suspected unfair practices while gambling. The rest pointed to issues across casinos (14%), sportsbooks (13%), lotteries (12%), and offshore betting (8%).
Bettors Start Doubting Sportsbooks at Just $500
Despite sportsbooks handling billions of dollars, 48% of Americans said they’d doubt a payout as low as $500–$5,000. Another 20% said they’d worry about amounts under $500.
This shows that even small-stakes bettors fear being stiffed.
Safety Rankings
When asked which gambling options are the safest, state lotteries ranked first (46%), followed by casinos (29%). Sportsbooks trailed at 19%, ahead of only offshore sites.
Transparency is a Work In Progress
Just 24% of respondents said sportsbooks are “completely transparent” about their odds.
Is Gambling "Good"?
Americans remain split on whether gambling is a good thing for society.
About the Data
The survey was conducted by SuretyNow via Pollfish, gathering responses from 1,000 U.S. adults on gambling trust and consumer protection.
