Share 
A new report reveals that over half of adults across the U.S. regularly engage in gambling for entertainment and/or to make money. The report, “Gambling With Our Future,” details not only how often Americans gamble and why they do it, but also what they think about it, their perceived chances of winning, and its effects on their well-being and relationships.
The report, based on a national survey by the Wheatley Institute at Brigham Young University, involved 2,548 American adults across different states. It examined 16 activities, including sports betting, casino games, lottery tickets, charity raffles, prediction markets, and high-risk financial trading. Here’s an overview of the report’s findings.
More Americans are gambling today
The report reveals that more than half of American adults regularly engage in various forms of gambling – more than at any point in the country’s history. This is not surprising, considering the advent of mobile betting and the proliferation of gambling advertising campaigns. Overall, gambling has become less stigmatized and more accessible, unlike in the past.
According to the report, 55% of gamblers reported gambling at least monthly, while one in eight reported doing it daily. Paul Lambert, Religion Initiative Director at the Wheatley Institute and co-author of the report, said, “Gambling is not a niche activity. For many Americans, it has now become a routine part of life, available anytime on their computer or a phone app.”
He continued, “What is particularly concerning is how many people fail to see the moral implications of gambling. The consequences can reach well beyond the person placing the bet, affecting family members, friends, and others who may never gamble themselves. It also undermines social trust and connection that is so important to flourishing societies.”
Making money is the main motivator
While gamblers report profit and entertainment as the main reasons for gambling, most do it for the prospect of making money. 4 out of 10 of all respondents cite making money as their main gambling motivator.
Interestingly, young gamblers are more interested in making money than older gamblers. Among gamblers aged 18 to 29, 53% said that profit edges out entertainment, compared to 50%. However, among gamblers 30 and older, 51% cited entertainment over financial gain. Interestingly, about 1 in 5 adults believe that playing the lottery is an effective way of making money, and a similar number believe that they can make consistent profits if they bet often.
The survey also revealed an interesting perspective among gamblers. Overall, 8 out of 10 gamblers agree that most gamblers will lose money over time. However, when asked about their own likelihood of winning, around half of the respondents believe that they can make a profit or at least break even from a single hour of gambling. Notably, this reveals a false sense of optimism among the gamblers.
Men are more active gamblers than women
The report reveals that men engage more in gambling than women. Overall, 63% of men gamble, compared to 48% of women. Among young adults aged 18 to 29, 6 in 10 (59%) men report gambling several times per week, compared to 34% of women. 67% of men in this age bracket also reported gambling at least once in the past year, compared to 41% of women. The trend continues among older adults aged 30 and above – 33% of men gamble regularly compared to 20% of women.
Interestingly, men are also more likely to place bigger bets than women. The survey reveals that men are three times more likely to report losing more than $1,000 in a single day from gambling. Moreover, they are three times more likely to bet $500 or more per week gambling.
Gambling is having negative impacts
The survey confirms the increasingly clear fact that gambling can be harmful, underscoring the urgent need for stronger responsible gambling education and awareness. Overall, 39% of U.S. adults say that they personally know someone struggling with a gambling problem. Notably, the negative effects aren’t limited to the gamblers, as 21% of all adults say that they have been hurt emotionally, financially, or in other ways as a result of someone else’s gambling.
The report also shows that frequent gambling leads to worse mental health. Indeed, respondents who cited gambling more often also reported dealing with more depression, anxiety, and hopelessness. Interestingly, only 4 out of 10 adults believe that gambling is morally wrong and can be harmful, and religious participation doesn’t necessarily mean less gambling.
“Our report shows that there is a much greater need for education about gambling odds and that we need to pay closer attention to its consequences on mental health and relationships. And while religious participation doesn’t necessarily shield people from gambling, faith communities can be potential sources of support — both in helping people recognize gambling-related problems and in connecting those who are struggling with help,” said Shima Baradaran Baughman, Woodruff J. Deem Professor of Law at BYU, Distinguished Fellow at the Wheatley Institute, and co-author of the report.
