Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 18
Gallup Finds US Adult Gambling Fell to 45% From 64% in 2016
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 18

Gallup Finds US Adult Gambling Fell to 45% From 64% in 2016

3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Aug 18

Summary

  • 45% of U.S. adults said they gambled in the past 12 months, Gallup found, a 19-point drop from 2016 despite the spread of online sports betting and prediction markets.
  • 2,201 adults were interviewed by telephone from early June to mid-July, and Gallup said it added prediction markets this year; a parallel June online survey produced a higher 53% estimate.
  • 18 percentage points fewer adults said they bought a state lottery ticket than in 2016, the sharpest decline among betting activities, while casino gambling fell 12 points.
  • 57% of Americans now say gambling is morally acceptable, a separate Gallup measure showed, marking a new low as concerns grow over addiction, debt and heavy advertising.

Insights

Why is the gambling industry booming with record profits while millions of Americans claim they have stopped betting altogether?
Could the rapid rise of prediction markets be a clever loophole to hook users under the guise of financial trading?