Gallup Survey Tracks Decline in U.S. Adult Gambling Participation
Casey Friedrich · Aug 20, 2026
Gallup Survey Tracks Decline in U.S. Adult Gambling Participation
A telephone survey conducted by Gallup between June and July 2026 shows that just 45% of U.S. adults took part in any form of gambling during the previous year, a figure that marks the lowest level recorded in the organization's recent tracking, and observers note this represents a steep decline from the 64% participation rate measured in 2016.
Data from the poll of 2,201 adults reveals drops across multiple categories, including lottery play which fell to 31% from 49% in the earlier survey, while in-person casino visits declined to 14% from 26%; these shifts occurred even as legal sports betting and online platforms expanded in various states.
Key Findings From the 2026 Poll
Researchers compiled responses that highlight consistent reductions in nearly every tracked gambling activity, and figures reveal that participation rates have moved downward steadily since the previous high point; the survey also captured responses on self-reported overindulgence, with only 3% of adults indicating they sometimes gamble more than they should.
Analysts point out that the methodology relied on random-digit dialing of landline and cellphone numbers, which produced a nationally representative sample weighted to match U.S. Census demographics, while the margin of error stood at plus or minus three percentage points for the full sample.
Broader Context Around Participation Trends
State-level expansions of sports betting have introduced new legal avenues for wagering since 2018, yet the Gallup results show no corresponding uptick in overall activity; instead, the numbers indicate that many adults continue to opt out of gambling entirely, and data shows this pattern holds across demographic groups.
One study released alongside the poll compared responses from earlier cycles and found parallel declines in both lottery sales data and casino foot traffic reports from multiple jurisdictions, while online options appear to have attracted a narrower segment of the population than initially projected by some industry forecasts.
Those who reviewed the raw crosstabs noted that younger adults showed slightly higher engagement with mobile betting compared with older cohorts, although overall rates remained below prior benchmarks across all age brackets; the poll also recorded that a majority of respondents who had gambled in the past year limited their activity to one or two occasions annually.
Survey Details and Methodology
Gallup conducted the interviews over a six-week period ending in mid-July 2026, and the firm applied standard weighting procedures to align the sample with national population parameters for age, gender, race, and education; results appear in a report published in early August 2026 that includes historical comparisons dating back more than a decade.
Additional questions addressed frequency of play and preferred formats, revealing that traditional lottery tickets still accounted for the largest share of participants even after the recorded drop, whereas casino table games and slot machines drew smaller percentages than in previous cycles.
Conclusion
The 2026 Gallup findings provide a snapshot of current adult behavior toward gambling, and the data points to sustained contraction in participation despite regulatory changes that have increased legal access in many regions; future surveys will determine whether these patterns persist or shift as markets continue to evolve. According to a Gallup report, the overall trend line remains downward from earlier peaks.