Chavdar Vasilev is a journalist covering the casino and sports betting market sectors for CasinoBeats. He joined CasinoBeats in May 2025 and reports on industry-shaping stories across the US and beyond, including legislative debates, market...
Read Full BioA new survey from US News & World Report has revealed that one in four bettors has missed at least one bill payment due to gambling activity.
The 2025 Sports Betting and Debt Survey, conducted between July 7 and July 9, includes responses from 1,200 US adults who have placed at least one sports bet during the past six months.
A Quarter of Bettors are Missing Bills
Among the most alarming statistics from the survey is that 25 percent of respondents report missing at least one bill payment due to money lost to sports betting. Some of these respondents report that they’ve wagered away money intended for basic necessities, such as groceries.
Gambling-related debt is also widespread. Nearly thirty percent blame gambling for the debts they have. More than half say they face debts of $500 or more due to gambling.
To cover their gambling, 24 percent have used a cash advance on their credit card to place a bet. Meanwhile, 16 percent have taken a personal loan. Additionally, 12 percent have used payday loans for wagers, while 5 percent have taken a title loan using their car as collateral.
These financial pressures often lead to riskier behavior. About 39 percent of the respondents claim they’ve chased losses, placing bets in hopes of paying off existing debts with potential winnings.
Who’s Betting and How Much
Despite these concerning statistics, most survey responders could be described as casual bettors. Forty-four percent claim they place fewer than five bets per month, and 40 percent wager under $100 monthly.
However, 27 percent say they wager $500 or more per month. Higher-income bettors (those with a household income of over $150,000) bet even more. In that group, 45 percent stated they spend over $500 per month.
Most bettors (81 percent) use apps or online platforms to place wagers. Approximately one in four bettors reports that they most frequently place parlay bets. These bets, which some studies suggest are the most addictive, require multiple outcomes to hit for a payout.
Loss of Control and Emotional Fallout
Beyond the financial toll, the survey highlights signs of problem gambling. Sixteen percent of respondents say they worry they can’t control their gambling.
Another 9 percent claim they’ve already sought treatment for gambling addiction. Meanwhile, one-third of bettors say they’ve hidden sports betting debts from a loved one. About half of the respondents say they’ve made at least one bet they’ve seriously regretted.
With losses, emotions run high. Twenty-one percent say they’ve verbally abused an athlete, either in person or online, after losing money on a bet. Over a quarter of those between 35 and 44 years old say they’ve lashed out at an athlete over a wager.
This type of behavior has become an increasing concern across the sports world. Recently, British tennis star Katie Boulter revealed she received death threats during the French Open.
In June, FanDuel banned a bettor who heckled Olympic champion sprinter Gabby Thomas during a Grand Slam Track event in Philadelphia. The operator, which holds the top spot in the US by market share, issued a warning to its customers that it will ban them for harassing athletes.
