The American Gaming Association (AGA) conducts an annual survey, and this year the results reflect strong consumer confidence in a state-regulated gambling market. The results underscore that the foundation of the American gaming industry is a sustainable one. A clear majority of Americans support the legality of gambling, especially regulated sports betting. That support is also tempered with some anxieties about the social costs and the integrity of sports.
Growing support for legal online gambling
A growing number of Americans are playing casino games at legal US online casinos. Legality is an important factor for players when deciding where to play, as it provides more protection. These casinos are regulated by state gambling boards that have player interests in mind. In the states where online gambling is legal, players can use casino apps to play on mobile devices.
Convenience and access to a wide range of games are among the reasons why this form of gambling is so popular. Players also have access to casino bonuses and promotions. Innovative technologies such as AI and VR are starting to impact online experiences.
Social acceptance of gambling
According to the AGA report, gambling has become socially acceptable to 62% of Americans. Nine out of 10 Americans say it’s okay for themselves or their peers. Despite this level of social acceptance, only a small number of states offer legal online gambling, while others ban it altogether.
Inconsistent rules across states can be challenging. There are also disputes over taxation, licensing, and consumer protection. These challenges and the worries about gambling addiction aren’t unexpected considering the rapid growth of gambling in the U.S.
Record casino visitation
More Americans than ever participated in gaming in the past year. With over 130 million visitors to casinos, visitation exceeded 50% for the first time. According to the report, 57% of US adults participated in some form of gambling. Around 30% of Americans visited physical casinos, and 21% placed sports bets. Casinos also have growing appeal among younger demographics, and the average age of players has been declining post-pandemic. This highlights the industry’s growing popularity across the nation.
Economic benefits
Around 77% of Americans believe that it’s an advantage to have casinos in their states because they benefit the economy. They generate jobs in areas that typically don’t attract so many people. They promote tourism and contribute with tax revenue to the state. This tax revenue is often invested in public services like education and health.
One of the reasons legalization continues to grow is because of this benefit. It is also why more jobs in gambling are emerging. According to the AGA, the gambling industry has created 1.8 million jobs.
Strong sports betting support
Over 70% of Americans support making sports betting legal in their states. As of November, it was legal in 39 states, and in December, it became legal also in Missouri. Americans are more aware than ever of cyber risks, and playing at regulated sites helps to ensure online safety. Bipartisan support for sports betting is broad, with backing from Republicans, Democrats, and Independents.
Three-quarters of Americans see sports betting as entertainment. There’s a mainstream sense that it’s a normal recreational activity for many people. When it comes to betting on college sports, there’s more ambivalence, and support tends to drop. Scandals and integrity worries in college sports are fueling concerns that legal betting may corrupt games and put pressure on younger athletes. The concern is much greater than it is for professional sports betting.
In states with legal sports betting, 70% of survey respondents believe the industry is responsible for its marketing and advertising.
Recognition of responsible gambling measures
Concerns about problem gambling persist in the growing US gambling market. Responsible gambling measures are more important than ever. Recognition of responsible gambling efforts is growing. In the past year, more than 72% of Americans reported seeing responsible gambling messages – a 56% increase compared to 2022.
According to the AGA survey, over three-quarters of gamblers at brick-and-mortar casinos believe that responsible gaming programs are effective. This is up from the 67% in 2018.
