The gambling industry in the United States is a multi-billion dollar industry, generating billions of revenue each year. For example, in 2022, its revenue was estimated to be over $54.9 billion, making it the largest gambling market in the world. This results from gambling being part of the American culture, its widespread availability, and its favorable legal environment. In addition, out of the 50 states, 48 allow some form of gambling if state-run lotteries are included, except Hawaii and Utah. This has made the United States a desirable market for gambling operators. Similarly, the country has a large population estimated to be 340 million, where 1 out of every 4 Americans (25%) report betting on at least one of the gambling activities. For this reason, we will discuss gambling statistics in America, the number of people struggling with gambling disorders, and crypto gambling statistics. Read on.
Important information: Much of the data for this study was collected and kindly provided by crypto casino reviewer BitcoinCasinoTop under the leadership of Edward Ackins and Melisa Dobrev, who have real gambling expertise and fresh information about iGaming market.
Gambling Statistics in America: What Percentage of Americans are Gamblers?
As mentioned in the introduction, gambling statistics estimate that almost 1 out of every 4 Americans report having bet on at least one of fourteen gambling activities in the twelve months. This means that approximately 25% of Americans gamble every year. In addition, 67% of the population are estimated to be men, while 33% are women.
Similarly, according to a 2021 study by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), approximately 85% of U.S. adults have gambled at least once in their lifetime. This means that about 289 million people in the United States have gambled at least once in their lives. The statistics also found that 60% of U.S. adults had gambled in the past year, approximately 204 million people.
Gambling Statistics in America Per State
The gambling laws in the United States vary from state to state. Some have more restrictive laws than others, hence the difference in gambling statistics. For that reason, the average number of gamblers per state is:
American State | Average number of Gamblers |
Alabama (AL) | 854127 |
Alaska (AL) | 124676 |
Arizona (AL) | 1215755 |
Arkansas (AL) | 511959 |
California (AL) | 6721498 |
Colorado (AL) | 981531 |
Connecticut (AL) | 613010 |
Delaware (AL) | 168291 |
Florida (AL) | 3661492 |
Georgia (AL) | 1821024 |
Hawaii (AL) | 247396 |
Idaho (AL) | 312648 |
Illinois (AL) | 2178126 |
Indiana (AL) | 1153540 |
Iowa (AL) | 542363 |
Kansas (AL) | 499440 |
Kentucky[B] (AL) | 765992 |
Louisiana (AL) | 791819 |
Maine (AL) | 231601 |
Maryland (AL) | 1050128 |
Massachusetts[B] (AL) | 1195086 |
Michigan (AL) | 1713146 |
Minnesota (AL) | 970104 |
Mississippi (AL) | 503417 |
Missouri (AL) | 1046335 |
Montana (AL) | 184318 |
Nebraska (AL) | 333456 |
Nevada (AL) | 527784 |
New Hampshire (AL) | 234180 |
New Jersey (AL) | 1579129 |
New Mexico (AL) | 359979 |
New York (AL) | 3434212 |
North Carolina (AL) | 1774696 |
North Dakota (AL) | 132446 |
Ohio (AL) | 2005906 |
Oklahoma (AL) | 673090 |
Oregon (AL) | 720334 |
Pennsylvania[B] (AL) | 2210459 |
Rhode Island (AL) | 186554 |
South Carolina (AL) | 870132 |
South Dakota (AL) | 150733 |
Tennessee (AL) | 1174843 |
Texas (AL) | 4954736 |
Utah (AL) | 556175 |
Vermont (AL) | 109323 |
Virginia[B] (AL) | 1467337 |
Washington (AL) | 1309898 |
West Virginia (AL) | 304932 |
Wisconsin (AL) | 1001932 |
Wyoming (AL) | 98065 |
What Percentage of Gamblers Make Money in the United States?
Gambling Statistics United States shows that more American gamblers lose money than they win. This means only 30% of players make money. This might be because they are skilled players, therefore getting an edge over the house, or they won just by luck.
For example, according to a study by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), only 3-5% of all gamblers in the United States make money in the long run. This means that the vast majority of gamblers lose money over time.
What Percentage of Gamblers Lose Money in the United States?
As seen in the pie chart above, the percentage of gamblers who lose money in America is estimated to be about 70%. i.e, gambling statistics in America state that consumers experience over $100 billion in total gambling losses annually. A male gambling addict accumulates an average debt of between $55,000 and $90,000, whereas a female addict averages $15,000.
For instance, research by The Week revealed that in 2013, Americans lost a staggering $119 billion. And since the gambling industry has grown tremendously since then, it is estimated that Americans lose over $150 billion every year.
These gambling statistics are mainly because of the odds stacked against players, also known as house advantage. Hence, the casino is more likely to win than the gambler. Therefore, the more gambling revenue a country generates, the more players lose money since casino profits result from players’ losses.
In addition, many gamblers do not set a gambling budget. They may start gambling only to spend a certain amount of money and may spend more while trying to regain losses. For this reason, a player might spend a lot of time thinking about gambling, planning their next gamble, or even gambling, leading to problem gambling. Therefore, in the next segment, we will look into gambling addiction statistics United States.
What Percentage of Gamblers are Addicted in America?
The gambling addiction statistics United States lie at 4%. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 3 million U.S. adults (1%) are estimated to meet the criteria for severe gambling problems in a given year.
On the other hand, another 6-10 million (2-3%) are considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems; that is, they do not meet the full diagnostic criteria for gambling addiction but meet one or more of the criteria and are experiencing issues due to their gambling behavior. Overall, 4% of Americans, that is 13 million people, have gambling disorders.
It is important to note that problem gambling, also known as gambling disorder, is an addictive disorder in which the individual experiences “persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family or vocational pursuits.” It can lead to financial, relationships, legal, and job problems. Similarly, it can also lead to health problems, such as stress, anxiety, depression, or even suicide.
Gambling Statistics: Top 10 States With The Highest Number of Problem Gamblers
According to Wallethub, the top 10 states with the highest number of problem gamblers in the United States are:
- Nevada
- South Dakota
- Montana
- Louisiana
- Mississippi
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Oregon
States With The Least Problem Gamblers in America
Some of the states in America have few problem gamblers; this might be because of the availability of resources to help problem gamblers, weak gambling culture, or healthy gambling environments. These states are:
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Nebraska
- Kansas
- Wisconsin
- Maine
- Hawaii
- Alaska
- Vermont
- Utah
Number of Problem Gamblers in California
According to the California Council on Problem Gambling (CALP), the number of problem gamblers in California is approximately one million (1,000,000), with an additional three million (3,000,000) “at risk” of becoming addicted. This means that out of the 39 million people, 3% of the population are problem gamblers, with 8% at risk of becoming addicted.
Gambling Statistics in America: Number of Gamblers to Las Vegas
Out of the millions of visitors who visit Las Vegas yearly, over 20 million go there to gamble. For example, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, an estimated 38.3 million visitors went to Las Vegas in 2022. Out of that number, 76% gambled while visiting the city. This means that about 29.1 million visitors gambled in Las Vegas in 2022.
The gambling statistics below will examine the number of Gamblers to Las Vegas from 2009 to 2022.
Las Vegas is a popular destination for people from all over the world. The city is known for its casinos, resorts, and entertainment. It is also a popular destination for conventions and trade shows. The busiest time of year is usually during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and sunny. Similarly, the city experiences a surge in visitors during major holidays, such as New Year’s Eve and Thanksgiving.
Gambling Addiction Statistics in Las Vegas
According to Gambling Statistics, the State of Nevada has the highest percentage of problem gamblers, with 72.59% compared to other states. For example, according to the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling, it’s estimated that 6% of adults, or about 140,000 people, deal with problem gambling to some degree. This means that out of the 3.25 million, 195,000 people have a gambling disorder.
Gamblers Help Number
Due to the rising cases of gambling addiction statistics United States; there are resources and tools available for players, i.e, support groups, treatment centers, and gamblers help number.
These numbers provide a confidential and accessible way to get help, including available treatment options, self-help resources, and strategies for managing gambling-related issues. Some of the gamblers help number are:
- National Council on Problem Gambling. The National Problem Gambling helpline number is 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537). It is available 24/7 and 100% confidential. Similarly, you can also text using 800 GAM or chat via 1800gamblerchat.org. These Gamblers help number are the same if you contact the California Council on Problem Gambling or the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling.
- Gamblers Anonymous Number. Gamblers Anonymous (GA) is a 12-step fellowship of people who share their experiences, strengths and hope to solve and help others recover from compulsive gambling. Gamblers Anonymous holds two weekly meetings on Wednesday and Friday. The gamblers help number in the US is 267-807-9601, the access code 9131957# and email weeklycallhelp@gmail.com.
Gambling Statistics in America: Crypto Gambling Statistics
The exact number of crypto gambling statistics among players is unknown, as there is no centralized tracking of this data. Despite its complex and unclear legal status, crypto gambling statistics suggest that the number of players using this currency has been multiplying.
For example, A 2022 survey by PlayToday found that 27% of online gamblers in the United States had used cryptocurrency in the past year. This is up from 18% in 2021. The survey also found that the average gambler who uses cryptocurrency deposits $1,200 per month, which is more than twice the average deposit amount for all online gamblers.
In addition, another estimate by Chainalysis found that $10 billion worth of cryptocurrency was used for gambling in 2021. This represents a 1,800% increase from 2020.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum have gained tremendous popularity in the gambling industry. As a result, the number of legal Bitcoin casinos in the USA has continued growing, with players preferring these platforms over land-based casinos.
This is because crypto casinos provide anonymity for those who want to keep their gambling activities private. Players don’t need to provide personal information like name or address to make transactions. Second, it gives a higher level of security as blockchain technology is used to protect player funds. Most importantly, it has lower fees than other payment methods, such as bank transfer as well as instant deposits and withdrawals.
Additionally, crypto gambling statistics in America suggest that in 2024 the number of crypto gamblers is expected to reach 22 million by 2024. This increase is due to the growing popularity of cryptocurrency among the general public as well as the availability of crypto gambling sites and sportsbooks. The report also estimates that the size of the cryptocurrency gambling market in the United States will reach $12.5 billion by 2024.
Popular Cryptocurrencies Used by Gamblers in the United States
Crypto gambling statistics United States show that the top 6 cryptocurrencies used are Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Bitcoin Cash, Tether (USDT), Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, and other altcoins.
Conclusion
The gambling statistics in America suggest that 1 out of every 4 Americans gamble, meaning that nearly 25% of the 340 million participate in some form of gambling. In addition, According to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), 3 million U.S. adults (1%) are estimated to meet the criteria for severe gambling problems in a given year. Similarly, 2-3% are considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems meaning 4% of the population have gambling disorders. Nevada, South Dakota, Montana, Louisiana, and Mississippi are regarded to have the highest number of problem gamblers. Fortunately, gamblers help number 1-800-GAMBLER (426-2537) provide resources such as treatment programs and support groups. In addition, Crypto gambling statistics United States suggest that 27% of players use cryptocurrency. This is a good number, considering many people have been skeptical about digital currencies. Similarly, the number is expected to grow to 50-60% in 2024 and 2025.
References:
https://www.statista.com/topics/1368/gambling/#topicOverview
https://theconversation.com/millions-of-americans-are-problem-gamblers-so-why-do-so-few-people-ever-seek-treatment-197861
https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/top-reputable-gambling-licences-casino-operators-a2.1051121
https://playitsafeohio.org/safe-gambling-tips/facts-figures/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/willyakowicz/2023/01/13/us-set-gambling-record-in-2022-with-more-than-549-billion-in-revenue/
https://www.casino.org/features/gambling-statistics/
https://calpg.org/problem-gamblers/