2021 National Survey Reveals Shifting Trends in US Gambling Attitudes and Behaviors

2021 National Survey Reveals Shifting Trends in US Gambling Attitudes and Behaviors

By Marcus Sullivan

January 21, 2025 at 03:35 AM

The National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences 2.0 (NGAGE) conducted in April 2021 revealed significant changes in gambling behaviors and attitudes since 2018. The study, which covered 21 states with legal sports betting, highlights several crucial findings about America's gambling landscape.

Key Findings:

  • Increased risk-taking behavior in gambling from 2018 to 2021
  • Major risk factors identified:
    • Participation in multiple gambling activities
    • Belief that gambling is a viable income source
    • Engagement in fantasy sports or sports betting
    • Frequent investment trading
    • Age under 45 years

Notable Trends:

  • Young adults remain highly vulnerable to gambling problems
  • Online wagering showed substantial growth
  • Sports betting participation remained consistent regardless of state legalization status
  • COVID-19 significantly impacted gambling behavior
  • Frequent investors showed higher rates of problematic gambling

Hand analyzing trends dashboard data

Hand analyzing trends dashboard data

Important Observations:

  • Gambling continues to be a popular recreational activity in America
  • Public misconceptions and stigma about problem gambling persist
  • Certain gambling forms experienced significant growth during the study period

Checklist with multiple marked checkboxes

Checklist with multiple marked checkboxes

Policy Implications: The unprecedented expansion of legalized gambling in the United States necessitates collaborative efforts between governments, the gambling industry, and service providers to implement protective policies and minimize potential harm.

Person gambling on mobile phone

Person gambling on mobile phone

Research Methodology: The study was conducted in partnership with Ipsos, a leading global market research organization, ensuring robust data collection and analysis methods.

Note: This survey does not measure gambling addiction prevalence rates but rather focuses on attitudes and experiences related to gambling activities.

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