Record Number of Americans Now Engaging in Legal Gambling, Survey Finds
A new survey from the American Gaming Association (AGA) shows that more Americans than ever are visiting casinos and betting legally.
More than half of U.S. adults (134 million people) visited a casino in the past year, the highest figure ever recorded.
Overall gambling participation is also on the rise, with 57% of American adults reporting they had gambled in the past twelve months.
AGA President and CEO Bill Miller commented on the findings:
These results underscore a sustainable foundation for the American gaming industry, reflecting strong consumer confidence in a state-regulated market as a safe and trusted form of entertainment.
A younger audience
According to the AGA, about 90% of casino visitors said the experience offers great value, and 89 percent described casino entertainment as highly innovative.
That combination of value and novelty continues to draw in a younger audience, with the average age of casino guests now lower than it was before the pandemic.
The results align with other recent research showing steady growth in consumer engagement with legal gambling.
A Siena poll in February found that 22% of Americans and nearly half of men aged 18 to 49 have an account with at least one online sportsbook.
Respondents to that survey cited fun, excitement, and greater interest in the games as reasons for their participation.
Growing acceptance
Americans are viewing casino gaming more positively overall.
62% of adults now see gambling as personally acceptable, and nine in ten say casino gambling is acceptable for themselves or others.
A majority of Americans now also see legal gambling as a positive for their state.
In fact, 85% of Americans agree that casinos bring otherwise unavailable entertainment options to local areas, while more than 80% credit them with contributing to tourism, job creation, and non-exportable economic growth.
These findings reinforce the trend of gaming becoming a normalized leisure choice rather than a fringe activity.
More and more Americans see casinos as positive for their state.
Support for legal wagering goes well beyond the casino floor. The survey found that 74% of Americans across both major parties favor legal, regulated sports betting in their state.
This broad public backing mirrors ongoing legislative momentum nationwide.
In Wisconsin, a new bipartisan bill aims to expand access to online sports betting throughout the state, provided that the servers remain located on tribal land.
Introduced last week, the bill would make sportsbook access legally available anywhere in Wisconsin, loosening the current requirement that both betting and server activity be confined to tribal areas.
Responsible gaming recognition
The same survey found that public confidence in how the industry promotes responsible gambling has reached its strongest level yet.
Nearly nine in ten sports bettors said operators’ responsible gaming programs work effectively, and about two-thirds of all Americans agree that the industry actively encourages responsible play.
That marks a sharp rise from just under 40 percent in 2018. For an industry that once faced skepticism about player protection, the shift is significant.
The AGA attributes this progress to expanded responsible gaming tools, public awareness campaigns, and regulatory oversight that holds licensed operators accountable.
Illegal markets remain the main challenge
Despite the progress, illegal gambling continues to threaten both players and state revenues.
The AGA estimates that unregulated operators capture about one-third of all U.S. wagering activity. This shadow market costs states around $15 billion in lost tax income each year.
Most players want to stay within the law. Over 90 percent of sports bettors and online casino players said legality matters when choosing where to play.
However, many still struggle to tell which platforms are licensed. That confusion gives offshore and unregulated sites room to exploit less informed customers.
Miller said the industry and regulators need to work together:
We will continue to build on this momentum by expanding the legal market, strengthening responsibility, and ensuring gaming delivers for players and communities alike.
