You Can Bet New Figures on U.S. Gambling Habits Is a Shock
The American Gaming Association (AGA) has released the findings of a new survey which reveals significant trends in the public’s perception towards casino gaming and sports betting in the United States. Among the new watermark highs in consumer sentiment is the revelation that 65 per cent of Americans believe the gaming industry behaves responsibly in the communities where it operates.
The latest figures suggest that almost 9-in-10 (88 per cent) Americans find casino gambling to be acceptable for themselves or others. ©getty
AGA’s research shows that more than half of all American adults (55 per cent) participated in some form of gambling in the past year. Over a quarter of adults (28 per cent) gambled at a physical casino in the past year, while one in five (21 per cent) had placed a sports bet.
The sports betting industry has grown exponentially following a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that opened the doors for legalized betting beyond the State of Nevada. Since then, 38 states and the District of Colombia have allowed some form of sports betting. Among those betting states, 30 permit wagering online.
Americans wagered a record $119.84 billion on sports betting in 2023. The figure represents a 27.5 per cent increase on 2022’s turnover. The latest research suggests 2024’s handle will show a similar surge. Last year, mobile casino games, which are legal in only six U. S. states, generated $6.7 billion in revenue.
Gambling Acceptance at an All-Time High
The latest figures suggest that almost 9-in-10 (88 per cent) Americans find casino gambling to be acceptable for themselves or others. Overall, gambling acceptance has remained consistent for over a decade. However, this year, 59 per cent of Americans found gambling personally acceptable, an all-time high.
A whopping 122 million adult Americans, or 49 per cent of the U.S. population, visited a casino for gambling or other entertainment purposes in the past 12 months. The figures indicate this is the highest level of casino visitation on record.
Consumers indicated they viewed casino gaming as innovative and high-value entertainment spending compared to other entertainment options. Ninety per cent of surveyed casino visitors consider the entertainment provided by casinos to be innovative, and 89 per cent believe that casinos offer good value for money compared to other entertainment options.
It’s All Positive as Aged Drops
Innovations and value continue to attract younger adults to casino properties. The average age of casino-goers has fallen for five consecutive years, from 49.6 in 2019 to 41.9 in 2024. More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of Americans say the gaming industry positively impacts the overall U.S. economy.
Furthermore, most Americans surveyed also acknowledge gaming’s local impact: more than three-quarters questioned credit the industry’s contributions to local economies, job creation and tourism.
- Eighty-five per cent said casinos bring entertainment and dining options to areas or regions that might not otherwise be able to attract them.
- Eighty-four per cent agreed that casinos increase tourism and bring conventions and meetings to the areas where they are located.
- Eighty-three per cent say the industry produces jobs and investments in the U.S. that cannot be outsourced to other countries.
- Eighty per cent agree that gaming creates good-paying jobs.
The figures suggest there has also been a significant rise in the number of Americans exposed to responsible gaming information. Specifically, 46 per cent of land-based casino players and 57 per cent of sports bettors noted an increase in responsible gaming messaging.
New Audience Benefits From Regulation
“These latest survey results highlight a consistent trend over the years: as gaming expands to new audiences, Americans increasingly see the benefits of a legal, regulated gaming marketplace that contributes to communities, prioritizes responsibility and provides unmatched entertainment,” said Joe Maloney, AGA Senior Vice President, Strategic Communications when presenting the survey findings.
The AGA consumer survey was conducted on its behalf by London-based Kantar Group, a leading data, insights and consulting company. A nationally representative sample of 2,000 registered voters (aged 21 and over) participated in the online poll. It was conducted between July 31 and August 9. The AGA says it has a +/- two per cent margin of error.
