Fewer Americans say they have participated in gambling activities during the past year compared with a decade ago, according to new Gallup research tracking changes in gambling behaviour across the country.

The latest findings show that 45% of US adults reported taking part in at least one form of gambling in the previous 12 months, a significant decline from the 64% recorded in 2016. The results come from combined telephone surveys conducted in June and July involving more than 2,200 adults.

The largest reductions appeared among some of the country’s most established gambling activities. Lottery ticket purchases, casino visits and office betting pools all recorded lower participation rates compared with previous measurements.

The survey found that 31% of adults bought a state lottery ticket in the past year, down from 49% in 2016. In-person casino gambling also dropped, with participation falling from 26% to 14% over the same period. Office pools declined from 15% to 7%.

Gallup’s findings arrive alongside a broader change in public attitudes toward gambling. The percentage of Americans who consider gambling “morally acceptable” has decreased from 67% in 2016 to 57% in 2026.

Traditional Gambling Activities See Largest Declines

Lottery participation has historically been the most common form of gambling measured by Gallup. Between 1989 and 1999, majorities of US adults reported purchasing lottery tickets. Participation later moved into the high-40% range before reaching its current level.

Casino gambling followed a similar pattern. When Gallup first measured casino participation in 1989, 20% of adults said they had gambled at a casino. The figure reached 30% in 2003 as legal casino expansion continued across the US, before gradually declining to the current 14%.

Gallup suggested that the growth of internet gambling may have influenced participation in physical gambling activities. Although only 4% of adults said they gamble online for money, it was the only category measured that did not decline over time.

Technology changes may also have affected other activities. Office pools have become less common as workplace habits have shifted, including increased remote work. Video poker participation has also fallen, declining from as high as 20% in 1999 to 5% today.

Sports betting remained relatively stable compared with other categories. Seven percent of adults said they bet on professional sports, compared with 10% in 2016, while college sports betting declined slightly from 5% to 4%.

The 2026 survey also included newer gambling-related activities. Two percent of respondents said they had used online prediction markets for future non-athletic events, while 4% reported playing fantasy sports games for money.

Survey Method Shows Differences Between Phone And Online Responses

Gallup also conducted a separate online survey using its probability-based panel. That survey produced a higher estimate, with 53% of respondents saying they had gambled in the previous year.

The difference between telephone and online results may reflect how comfortable people feel discussing gambling. Gallup noted that respondents speaking with a live interviewer may be less likely to disclose gambling activity compared with people entering answers privately through an online questionnaire.

The online survey showed higher participation across all measured categories. It also found similar demographic patterns, with men reporting higher gambling participation than women and older adults reporting higher rates than younger adults.

In the telephone survey, 49% of men said they had gambled during the previous year compared with 40% of women. Adults aged 50 and older reported a 50% participation rate, while those under age 50 recorded 41%.

Income differences were also visible. Adults from households earning at least $100,000 annually were more likely to report gambling, with 54% participating compared with 45% among middle-income adults and 40% among lower-income adults.

Gambling Concerns Remain Limited Among Respondents

Gallup found that reports of problem gambling remained relatively uncommon. Three percent of all adults surveyed said they sometimes gamble more than they believe they should, representing 7% of those who gamble.

The online survey produced slightly higher figures, with 6% of adults and 10% of gamblers reporting that they sometimes gamble excessively.

Nine percent of adults said gambling had caused problems within their family. This figure has remained within a similar range in recent decades, although it is slightly higher than readings from the early 1990s.

Lower-income respondents were more likely to report gambling-related family problems, with 13% indicating this had occurred compared with 7% to 8% among middle- and higher-income groups.

The findings highlight a changing relationship between Americans and gambling. While gambling revenue has continued to grow, Gallup noted that industry expansion does not necessarily mean more people are participating. Increased spending among existing gamblers, higher prices, or shifts toward regulated gambling channels may also influence revenue trends.

Gallup concluded that the decline in reported gambling participation could reflect changing behaviour, reduced willingness to disclose gambling activity, or both. However, the lower figures from the online survey compared with previous telephone results provide support for the view that fewer Americans are currently reporting gambling involvement.