New research from the American Gaming Association (AGA) shows a record number of Americans are embracing legal gambling.
The American Attitudes Toward Gaming 2025 survey found 57% of adults, roughly equivalent to 134 million people, participated in some form of gambling in the last year.
Key Takeaways
- A record 57% of U.S. adults wagered in the past year.
- Support for legal betting remains high across party lines.
- AGA warns about confusion over illegal platforms.
For the first time, over half of U.S. adults visited a casino. At the same time, 62% of people considered it morally acceptable, with nine in 10 finding it acceptable for either themselves or others.
The survey also shows gambling support is bipartisan, with 56% of Democrats, 60% of Independents, and 58% of Republicans having gambled in the last year. Nearly 90% of respondents said casinos have a positive impact on the economy.
Support for legal sports betting also remains strong, with 74% of those surveyed backing it.
Additionally, 64% stated the gaming industry is committed to ensuring responsible gaming and tackling problem gambling, a notable increase from less than 40% in 2018.
NHL partners with prediction markets despite AGA backlash
The NHL became the first sports league to sign multiyear deals with prediction market companies despite the AGA describing the move as “deeply concerning.”
Prediction markets allow people to trade on the outcome of events, including sports results, and the NHL has signed up with two of the biggest operators in the sector, Kalshi and Polymarket, in a deal that will give the two companies access to league data and logos.
While NHL executives argue that the deals will enhance oversight and integrity, the AGA accused prediction markets of operating outside state law. Kalshi and Polymarket, which claim federal oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, are exempt from state gambling regulations. This principle is being challenged in multiple states.
Despite those legal disputes, both platforms are expanding rapidly, with Kalshi recently adding sports parlays and offering markets on the Stanley Cup, the NHL's premier event.
