Skip to main content
New York Islanders fans cheer as we look at the details of a recent YouGov survey of sports bettors.
New York Islanders fans cheer just before the game against the Carolina Hurricanes on April 25, 2024. Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images via AFP.

The results of a recent survey conducted by a global public opinion and data firm highlighted the popularity of the top five sportsbooks in the North American market, all of which are featured in our best sportsbooks list. The findings also included some unexpected discoveries.

According to a survey from YouGov including over 2,000 bettors, UK-based bet365 was found to be the top choice for U.S. sports betting among younger Americans, aged 35 and under. DraftKings was preferred by older bettors, and FanDuel, known as “America’s #1 Underscoreg,” was the favorite among one of the five age groups surveyed.

The study indicated that ESPN BET is on track to reach its goal of capturing a 7% market share during its first year of operation.

The findings

The YouGov study began by testing the loyalty of different age groups to determine which sites they frequent exclusively. A lot of bettors compare prices across our top sports betting sites.

A recent survey revealed that 73% of respondents have multiple sports betting accounts, with 43% using more than three sportsbooks. Interestingly, bettors aged 55 and older were the most loyal, as 44% reported having only one sportsbook account.

Age impacts results

The results from YouGov were certainly eye-opening, if not unexpected.

It was demonstrated that DraftKings and FanDuel were the most popular choices for older Americans, while bet365 was preferred by younger bettors.

DraftKings was the top choice for 40% of bettors aged 55 and older, as well as 33% of those between 45 and 54. Among the 35 to 44 age group, 25% preferred DraftKings. Explore more with our DraftKings promo code.

FanDuel’s performance in the survey results was unexpected, if not underwhelming. The sportsbook was the top choice for 32% of respondents in the 35-44 age group, and came in second with 26% of bettors aged 55 and older preferring it. While less than 20% of respondents in the other three age categories favored FanDuel, you can make your own judgments with our FanDuel promo code.

The survey revealed that bet365 was surprisingly popular among younger American bettors, with 28% of respondents aged 21-24 and 30% of those aged 25-34 preferring the British-based site. In contrast, only 4% of Americans aged 55+ and 12% of those aged 45-54 favored bet365. If you’re interested in exploring bet365, our exclusive bonus code, SBRBONUS, can help you access some great betting opportunities.

In three out of five categories, ESPN BET had an 8% preference, with only 4% of those 55 and older and 6% of those aged 45-54 choosing it as their favorite. ESPN BET initially aimed for a 7% market share by the end of its first year in operation.

More findings

According to the YouGov data, Americans are increasingly utilizing their sports betting providers, regardless of the specific sportsbook they choose.

These statistics show a clear preference among younger bettors. Sixty percent of bet365 users are spending more time on the site, with 11% admitting to using it less. For 888 Sports, 58% are using it more and 10% are using it less. ESPN BET has 51% of customers using it more, while 15% are using it less.

DraftKings and FanDuel rank poorly in this measure, with 42% of DraftKings users betting more and 29% betting less, and 40% of FanDuel users using the site more and 23% using it less.

According to a YouGov survey, the main factors that attracted respondents to sportsbooks were attractive welcome bonuses (55%), offers and promotions (53%), good customer service (37%), recommendations from others (37%), overall sportsbook quality (33%), quality free-to-play games (30%), advertising (28%), and live streaming (25%).

How the survey was conducted

The survey conducted by YouGov took place between January 5 and January 18, 2024, and involved more than 2,000 American bettors sharing their opinions on sports betting websites.

YouGov surveyed a diverse group of Americans, including both older and younger individuals who have engaged in sports betting. Some participants had placed a wager within the past year, while others had not bet recently but intended to do so in the future.

The survey pool consisted of 71% current sports bettors and 29% individuals interested in becoming sports bettors in the future. It also revealed that 72% of male respondents were current sports bettors, compared to only 28% of female respondents. Additionally, 57% of men surveyed expressed interest in becoming sports bettors in the future, while 43% of women planned to place a bet within the next year.