People in the United States and Canada are among the least likely in the world to say gambling is wrong, according to a recent Pew Research Center study.
In the U.S., 70% said gambling was either morally acceptable (20%) or not a moral issue (50%). Slightly more Canadians (71%) said gambling was acceptable (30%) or not a moral issue (41%). Conversely, gambling is viewed most negatively in Indonesia and India, with 89% and 83%, respectively, saying it is morally unacceptable.
In the United States, religious affiliation and political identification are key indicators of beliefs about the morality of gambling. One-third (33%) of those who are religiously affiliated believe gambling is morally unacceptable, compared with only 19% of the religiously unaffiliated. One-third (33%) of Republicans and nearly one-quarter (24%) of Democrats say gambling is morally unacceptable.
A much higher percentage of lower-income individuals believe that gambling is morally wrong compared with their wealthier counterparts. Among those with household incomes of less than $30,000 a year, 39% say gambling is morally unacceptable. Only 23% of those with household incomes over $80,000 say it is wrong.
There is little difference among generations in their views of gambling. Notably, however, younger U.S. adults (ages 18–29) are the most likely (33%) to say gambling is morally unacceptable.
More information on the Pew study, including links to the survey’s methodology and topline results, can be found here.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Senior Editor at Good Faith Media.