Gambling in the U.S.: Survey Reveals Massive Decline in State Lotteries

The U.S. gambling landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. A new study by the Gallup polling institute shows that significantly fewer Americans are participating in gambling activities than ten years ago. This trend affects almost all segments, from the classic state lottery to visits at local casinos. In a society long considered a stronghold of betting culture, the relationship between risk and the moral evaluation of gambling seems to be changing fundamentally.

The slump in the most popular forms of pastime is particularly striking. While buying lottery tickets was the most common form of gambling for decades, significantly fewer people participate today. Researchers attribute this to changing life circumstances and a more critical view among the population. Traditional casino visits have also lost their appeal, which is partially compensated for by increasing digitalization and the rise of online gambling, but not completely offset.

Numbers and facts

The current data is based on combined surveys from June and July 2026, for which more than 2,200 adults in the U.S. were interviewed by telephone. The result is clear: the percentage of U.S. adults who report doing any kind of gambling during the past year is 45%. A decade ago, this figure was 64%. Similar highs were measured in the 2003 and 2007 Gallup surveys. The sharpest drop is seen in state lottery tickets. While consistent majorities reported playing the lottery between 1989 and 1999, this figure fell to 31% in the current survey.

In-person casino gambling is also on the decline. In 2003, 30% of respondents said they had gambled at a casino. In the current survey, this value has shrunk to 14%. An interesting aspect is the moral evaluation. In 2016, 67% of Americans still considered gambling morally acceptable. This value has fallen to a new low of 57%. Interestingly, online gambling remains stable with a participation rate of 4% and is the only category measured that has not shown a decline over time.

"Whether that decline represents a sharp turn away from gambling, reluctance from survey respondents to indicate they gamble, or both, is unclear." - Jeffrey M. Jones, Senior Editor at Gallup

Background

Gallup has been conducting these surveys since 1950, when it began with questions about playing bingo for money. The peak of the casino boom was reached in 2003, as legal casinos continued to expand across the U.S. The current decline in participation rates stands in some contrast to reports of growing gambling industry revenues. Experts explain this by suggesting that a smaller pool of Americans is gambling more frequently or paying higher prices. Additionally, the market is becoming more transparent as activity shifts from informal means to government-sanctioned, easier-to-measure activities.

Demographically, there are clear differences. Those with an annual household income of $100,000 or more are more likely to gamble (54%) than lower-income adults (40%). Men gamble more frequently (49%) than women (40%). Younger women, aged 18 to 49, are particularly reserved, with only 35% stating they had gambled for money in the last year. The study also notes that in online surveys, the rates are slightly higher (53% total), which could indicate that some people are uncomfortable disclosing their gambling habits to a human interviewer over the phone.

Why it matters for German players

The U.S. data shows an interesting parallel to the situation in Germany. Since the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) came into force, there has been stricter monitoring and regulation here as well to strengthen player protection. While moral acceptance is falling in the U.S., Germany focuses on prevention through systems like LUGAS. German players active in casinos with a GGL license are subject to a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros and a stake limit of 1 euro per spin for virtual slot games. These measures are intended to ensure that gambling remains a hobby and does not cause existential problems.

The development in the U.S., where only 9% of adults say gambling has been a source of problems in their family, underscores the importance of player protection mechanisms. In Germany, the central OASIS exclusion file provides an additional safety barrier. Those who choose licensed German providers benefit from legal certainty and a controlled environment that takes into account the trend toward less risky gambling behavior observed in the U.S.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a license from the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL), the trend from the U.S. confirms their strategy. Quality and safety stand above the mere mass of players. Since moral acceptance is a fragile asset, GGL-licensed casinos must consistently focus on transparency and fair conditions. Unlike providers from Malta or Curacao, which often operate outside the German legal framework, GGL casinos offer the guarantee that winnings are paid out securely and that youth protection is a top priority. The U.S. data suggests that the industry can only survive in the long term if it remains socially acceptable.