The National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences (NGAGE 1.0) conducted in 2018 provides crucial baseline data on American gambling habits before the widespread legalization of sports betting. At the time, legal sports betting was only available in Nevada and New Jersey.

Key Findings:

• Gambling is widespread in America, with most gamblers participating in multiple activities (average of three different types)
• Legal restrictions have minimal impact on gambling participation
• Lottery is the most popular form, with 66% of respondents reporting purchases in the past year
• Most gamblers report no negative consequences
• Higher risk groups include:
  • Young adults
  • Sports bettors
• A significant portion of the population misunderstands or stigmatizes problem gambling

The study, commissioned by NCPG and conducted by Ipsos, represents the first major national research on gambling attitudes since 1999. It includes comprehensive data on:

• Gambling participation rates
• Problem gambling indicators
• Public attitudes and beliefs
• State-specific trends and analyses

Policy Implications: As legalized gambling expands across the United States, collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders, and service providers is essential to implement harm-reduction policies.

NCPG relies on individual memberships and donations to continue their research and advocacy work, operating without federal or dedicated state-level funding. Their efforts help protect families and communities affected by problem gambling.

Related Articles

Previous Articles