Gallup Survey Tracks Shifts in U.S. Adult Gambling Participation

A new telephone poll conducted by Gallup reveals that 45 percent of U.S. adults took part in at least one gambling activity during the previous twelve months, a figure that stands well below the 64 percent recorded in 2016. The drop appears tied primarily to reduced involvement in longstanding options such as state lotteries and physical casino visits, while newer formats produced only a modest upward adjustment when included in the totals.

Core Numbers from the Latest Poll

State lottery participation fell to 31 percent from the 49 percent mark set in 2016, and in-person casino attendance dropped to 14 percent from 26 percent over the same span. When researchers added non-sports prediction markets along with paid fantasy sports to the calculation, the overall rate moved from 44 percent up to the final 45 percent. Observers note that these additions reflect efforts to capture evolving consumer habits, yet the net effect remained limited within the telephone-based sample.

Data from the poll also shows that online respondents reported higher engagement levels at 53 percent. This contrast points to possible differences in how various survey modes reach different population segments, an issue researchers continue to examine when interpreting results across multiple years.

Comparison with Other Research Findings

Separate surveys have indicated stronger activity in sports betting and prediction markets than the Gallup telephone results captured. Those studies often rely on digital panels or mixed-method approaches, which can produce different participation estimates. The discrepancy highlights how question wording, sampling frames, and delivery channels influence reported figures, even when the underlying behaviors remain consistent across the broader population.

Analysts examining the Gallup data alongside these other sources point to the value of cross-checking multiple datasets. Such comparisons help clarify whether declines in traditional categories are offset by growth elsewhere or whether methodological factors contribute to the observed gaps.

Breakdown by Gambling Category

Traditional lotteries continue to draw the largest share of participants, yet the decline from nearly half of adults to roughly one-third signals a meaningful shift in behavior. Casino visits show a parallel reduction, with the in-person format registering just 14 percent involvement. These categories historically anchored overall gambling numbers, so their combined drop accounts for most of the change between 2016 and the current period.

Prediction markets outside sports and paid fantasy sports added only one percentage point when layered onto the base rate of 44 percent. This limited lift suggests that while these activities attract dedicated users, their reach within the general adult population has not yet matched the scale of established lottery or casino play. Researchers tracking these newer segments note that adoption patterns can vary by age group and access to digital platforms.

Survey Methodology Considerations

The telephone poll format used by Gallup relies on random-digit dialing and live interviewers, a method that has produced consistent tracking data over multiple decades. Still, the higher rates reported by online respondents in the same study illustrate how mode effects can shape outcomes. People who respond via web panels may differ in their comfort with digital gambling products or in their willingness to disclose participation.

Other organizations that field surveys on betting and gaming often incorporate online and mobile sampling frames from the outset. These approaches sometimes yield elevated figures for sports wagering and prediction markets, prompting ongoing discussion about best practices for measuring a rapidly changing marketplace. The current Gallup results, when placed next to those alternative estimates, underscore the importance of transparent methodology descriptions so readers can assess comparability.

Context Around the 2026 Data Release

The latest wave of the Gallup tracking effort reflects responses collected ahead of the August 2026 reporting period. During this window, industry observers and academic researchers reviewed how the addition of emerging categories altered headline percentages. The modest increase from 44 to 45 percent after including non-sports prediction markets and paid fantasy sports demonstrates that these formats, while growing, have not fully compensated for the reduction in traditional play within the surveyed population.

State regulatory changes and the expansion of legal online options continue to reshape the landscape. Yet the telephone poll results provide one benchmark against which future waves can be measured, especially as more adults gain access to mobile betting interfaces.

Conclusion

The Gallup telephone poll supplies a clear snapshot of participation rates across traditional and emerging gambling formats. Declines in lottery and casino engagement drove the overall drop, while newer products produced a small upward adjustment. Differences between telephone and online response modes, along with contrasts to other survey findings, point to the ongoing challenge of capturing accurate population-level estimates in a diversifying market. Continued monitoring through multiple data sources will allow researchers to track whether these patterns stabilize or shift further in subsequent years. According to the referenced Gallup poll, the detailed methodology and full question set appear in the official release at the Gallup site.