Gambling prevalence and addiction risks in the US

Research indicates a significant presence of gambling across the United States, with studies from Brigham Young University and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas showing that 55% of US adults gamble at least monthly. These findings highlight social impacts, noting that 21% of respondents reported harm caused by another person’s gambling and 39% personally know someone with a gambling problem.

In Colorado, data shows that 7% of sports bettors exhibit signs of serious gambling issues, with lottery games and sports betting being the most common forms.

Recent data also highlights a rise in digital wagering among college students. Approximately 15% of undergraduates participate in online sports betting or prediction markets, with higher rates observed among men. While some university administrators view this as an escalating mental health or financial crisis, many students feel their institutions are underresponding to the issue. Reports indicate that a significant portion of students know peers who have experienced academic or financial distress due to wagering losses.

Newer research from Rutgers University indicates that more than 40% of US teenagers aged 13 to 17 engaged in gambling within the past year, including sports, esports, cryptocurrency trading, and prediction markets. Approximately 11% of these teens are considered at high risk for gambling-related problems. Lia Nower, director of the Rutgers Center for Gambling Studies, described the findings as a “wake-up call,” noting that betting is deeply integrated into digital media. Data from Common Sense Media further suggests that 36% of boys aged 11 to 17 gambled, often encountering content through social media or engaging in “pseudo-gambling” via gacha games.