Studies reveal rising gambling prevalence and addiction risks in the US

Recent studies from Brigham Young University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas highlight the growing prevalence and social impact of gambling in the United States.

A BYU Wheatley Institute study found that 55% of US adults gamble at least monthly, while 21% reported experiencing financial, emotional, or other harm due to someone else’s gambling. The research noted that 39% of respondents personally know someone with a gambling problem. The study also identified a discrepancy in perception, noting that while 80% of participants recognize that most gamblers lose money over time, approximately half of gamblers believed they would win or break even during a single hour of play.

In Colorado, research led by UNLV indicates that 7% of sports bettors show signs of serious gambling problems. The study, which surveyed 500 residents, found that lottery games remain the most common form of gambling at 41.4%, followed by sports betting at 17.4%. The findings come as Colorado’s sports betting market generated $6.4 billion in wagers during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.