New Yorkers are divided on online sports betting. Thirty-nine percent agree with supporters of legalized online sports betting that say it regulates and taxes a formerly illegal activity and adds more entertainment to sports fans while 37% agree with opponents that say it increases the risk of problem gambling and financial hardship and threatens the integrity of the games, according to the latest poll by the Siena Research Institute (SRI).

A majority of New Yorkers, 54-25%, think that sports commentators should not be allowed to offer remarks on sports gambling and potential bets during live game broadcasts.

Nearly half of New Yorkers, 49%, describe themselves as football fans while fewer, 39%, say that they are baseball fans. Forty-one percent of all state residents, 79% of football fans, regularly watch football games. Nearly 20% of all residents and 31% of football fans place bets on football through an online sportsbook.

While 37% of all New Yorkers watch regular season baseball games, nearly half, 48%, watch the baseball playoffs including the World Series. Fourteen percent of all state residents and 30% of baseball fans, place bets on baseball games through an online sportbook.

“October finds football season in full swing and baseball now draws more fan interest as we near the World Series,” according to Don Levy, SRI’s Director. “While more New Yorkers say that they are football fans than baseball fans, nearly half of all New Yorkers and 93% of baseball fans plan to watch the baseball playoffs. Just over 40% regularly watch football games including 79% of football fans.”

“While between 14 and 18% of all New Yorkers place bets on baseball or football games with online sportsbooks, nearly a third of fans use online sportbooks to bet on their favorite sports. Fans are more inclined to see the benefits rather than risks of online sports betting but both fans and non-fans agree that sports commentators should not be allowed to talk about sports gambling and potential bets during the games,” Levy said.