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 by the American Gaming Association (AGA) has found that more US adults are engaging in gambling than ever, with 57% participating in some form of wagering over the past year. The latest figure represents an all-time high, reflecting the continued expansion of legal betting options nationwide.
According to the American Attitudes Toward Gaming survey, a record 134 million people visited land-based casinos in the past year. That marks the first time casino visitation has surpassed half of US adults. The numbers include those who gamble and visitors to other amenities, such as dining and entertainment.
The findings come amid multiple reports indicating that Las Vegas’ visitation has softened in 2025, suggesting that casino growth elsewhere continues to offset a more competitive entertainment landscape.
Broad Acceptance & Demographic Stability
According to the survey, public acceptance of gambling remains high. About 62% of Americans consider casino gambling personally acceptable. Additionally, nearly 30% find it acceptable for others even if it’s not personally appealing.
These levels have remained steady since 2019, indicating a long-term normalization of regulated gambling.
Gambling participation is also politically uniform, with similar rates among Democrats (56%), Independents (60%), and Republicans (58%).
Meanwhile, the average age of casino visitors is 49.6, consistent with prior years. That suggests the industry continues to attract both younger and older audiences.
Casinos Seen as Economic & Cultural Anchors
Nearly nine in 10 respondents agree that the casino industry is growing and has a positive impact on the US economy.
About 80% say casinos create good-paying jobs, while 85% believe they generate tax revenue and tourism for local communities. A majority also credit casinos with revitalizing economically struggling areas and offering “entertainment and dining options” that some regions otherwise couldn’t attract.
Strong Entertainment & Responsible Gaming Ratings
Casinos continue to be viewed as an attractive night-out option, as the share of visitors rating casino entertainment as “excellent or good” compared to alternatives is about 70%, the highest ever.
Meanwhile, 76% of adults believe the industry’s responsible-gaming programs are effective. That perception is powerful among casino players, iGamers, and sports bettors.
Bipartisan Support for Legal Sports Betting
As legal sports betting has expanded to nearly 40 states, it continues to enjoy strong backing. About 74% of respondents support regulated sports betting in their state, including broad bipartisan support. More than three-quarters (78%) of Americans view sports betting as a form of entertainment.
Furthermore, online bettors show strong preferences: 93% of sports bettors and 90% of iGaming consumers cited legality as an essential factor in selecting where to play.
However, more than 40% of both groups struggle to identify legal platforms. In states with legal sports betting, 70% of respondents believe the industry is responsible for its marketing and advertising efforts.
AGA’s Broader Research Context
As the leading trade group representing the interests of casinos and regulated gaming, the AGA regularly publishes consumer research that tracks public attitudes toward both regulated and unregulated forms of gaming.
Recent AGA studies have shown that US adults view unregulated products, such as sweepstakes casinos and prediction markets, as gambling, even as they claim otherwise.
A July survey found that 90% of sweepstakes casino players consider playing on these platforms to be gambling. Out of that, 59% say they are “definitely gambling,” while 31% responded that they’re probably gambling. About 68% say their primary goal of playing on the platforms is to win money.
Additionally, according to an August AGA survey, 85% of respondents classified sports prediction contracts as a form of gambling. Approximately 80% said prediction markets should be regulated like other online betting platforms. A majority of adults also said these platforms are “exploiting a loophole” to operate as unlicensed sportsbooks.
The rise in popularity of prediction markets has led the AGA to urge the NBA, NFL, and MLB not to partner with the unregulated platforms. That came after the NHL announced partnerships with Kalshi and Polymarket.
