Gambling Addiction Stats: 10 Concerning Betting Trends in America
Published:
Sep 12, 2025
,
05:16 p.m.
ET
Gambling in the United States has entered a new era of accessibility. Sports betting has been legalized in nearly 40 states and online casinos are now live in seven of those. Plus, with sweepstakes-based gambling, prediction markets and offshore platforms, millions of Americans can easily gamble on their phones nowadays. While many can engage with forms of gambling casually and not encounter issues, new data paints a troubling picture for millions of others.
Recent surveys and public health studies highlight some of the societal costs of rapid gambling expansion. From increases in outreach for problem gambling support, to the use of high-interest loans to fund sports bets, the numbers indicate that problem gambling is a growing issue.
Here are 10 of the most concerning gambling-related statistics in America today.
Top 10 Gambling Statistics in the United States
1) Over a Quarter of Americans Gamble Online Daily
28% of U.S. adults report gambling online every day. That’s tens of millions of people engaging in daily wagering habits, which is a frequency that increases the risk of developing gambling addiction.
2) Sports Bettors Could Not Pay Bills Because of Gambling
24.9% of sports bettors have been unable to pay a bill because of wagers, with some even reporting gambling away their rent money. Nearly a third (30%) admit to carrying gambling-related debts.
3) Payday Loans and Credit Card Debt Fuel Betting
More than 15% of bettors have taken out a personal loan to fund wagers, while 12% have used payday loans. Over half (52%) say they carry month-to-month credit card balances.
4) Helpline Calls Rising in Newly Legalized States
The surge in gambling availability has been mirrored by significant increases in outreach (calls and texts) to states’ problem gambling hotlines. Examples include:
Florida: 138% jump in outreach during its first two months with online sports betting
Kentucky: Calls quadrupled in 2023
Virginia: 973% increase in helpline calls since 2019
Massachusetts: 121% increase 2022-2023
New Jersey: 277% increase since 2018 legalization
North Carolina: 79% increase in outreach during first year of legalized sports betting
Ohio: 227% increase from Jan 2022 to Jan 2023
5) Gambling Addiction and Financial Collapse
A recent SSRN study shows states that legalize online betting experience:
Credit scores dropping nearly 1% (triple the decline of in-person only states).
Bankruptcy filings rising by 25-30% within four years.
Debt collections and auto loan delinquencies increasing, specifically for young men in low-income areas.
6) Around of People with Gambling Addiction Commit Crimes
Ripple effects have reached the justice system. Up to 50% of people with a gambling disorder have committed a gambling-related crime (theft, fraud or embezzlement).
7) Links to Intimate Partner Violence
Research at the University of Oregon shows gambling may raise rates of intimate partner violence by as much as 10%, adding to the strain on families already destabilized by financial and emotional consequences.
8) Suicide Risk Among Individuals with Gambling Addiction
There are different research findings across the world, hence the wide range, but 17–39% of problem gamblers experience suicidality, making it one of the most dangerous addictions.
9) Gambling Among College Student-Athletes
The NCAA’s 2024 research found:
52% of male student-athletes gambled in the past year.
21.7% bet on sports, despite restrictions, and 77% started gambling before or during high school.
Just 7-8% knew where to seek help on campus if gambling became a problem.
Among the general college population, 2023 NCAA data showed 67% of campus residents gamble, with 41% betting on their own school’s teams.
10) Sportsbooks Profit Most from Parlays
In New Jersey, parlays made up just 32.2% of handle in September 2024 but accounted for 72.5% of gross revenue.
Sportsbooks’ “hold” on parlays was 24.2%, compared to just 4.4% on other bet types, showing how operators thrive on (and therefore heavily promote) these wagers.
Treatment for Gambling Addiction in the United States
Behind every statistic is a person facing mounting bills, strained relationships or overwhelming shame. Numbers alone can distort the reality that gambling addiction is not a failure of willpower.
Birches Health is working to reduce barriers by providing confidential, insurance-covered, evidence-based care tailored to the needs of individuals and families facing gambling-related challenges. The nation’s leading gambling recovery program is available virtually from the comforts and privacy of home.
If you, a friend or someone you care about may be struggling with gambling, help is available:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
