US Gambling Survey 2026: How 2,000 Americans Really Gamble
The average American gambler reports a lifetime biggest win of $9,058 and a worst single-session loss of $4,632. One in five adults say they always or often hide those losses from the people closest to them. Nearly one in four have used a credit card to fund gambling.
In May 2026, VIP-Grinders surveyed 2,000 US adults to find out how Americans really gamble: how much they win, how much they lose, how often they play, how they pay for it, and what they hide from the people around them. This page is the complete dataset. Every figure cited in media coverage of this survey links back here.
- Sample: 2,000 US adults (901 male, 1,096 female)
- Fieldwork: May 5 to 7, 2026 (online panel)
- Coverage: All 50 states + Washington D.C., four census regions, 29 major cities
- Age groups: 18 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55+
- State rankings: 32 qualifying states (minimum 20 respondents per state)
Key Statistics (2026)
The following headline figures summarize the six core findings of the 2026 US Gambling Survey. Each stat is expanded with full tables, gender splits, age breakdowns, and state rankings in the sections below.
- ~56 million Americans always or often hide gambling losses from loved ones: 21.2% of respondents say they always or often conceal gambling losses from someone close to them. Among men, that figure rises to 25.3%.
- ~67 million Americans have used a credit card to fund gambling: 25.4% of respondents have used credit cards to gamble. Among 18 to 24 year olds, that figure hits 36%.
- ~12 million young Americans (18 to 34) have sold possessions to fund gambling: 15.4% of 18 to 24 year olds and 13.7% of 25 to 34 year olds have sold personal belongings to fund their gambling.
- $9,058 average biggest gambling win: Men report nearly double the female average ($12,359 vs $6,325). Massachusetts leads all states at $21,376.
- $4,632 average biggest single-session loss: Men lose more than three times as much as women in their worst sessions ($7,422 vs $2,325). Arizona leads all states at $14,989.
- 5.77 times per month: The average American gambles just over once a week. Men play nearly 30% more often than women (6.56 vs 5.09). Connecticut leads at 8.0 sessions per month.
- 16.9% of Americans regularly gamble on debt: Debt is the most commonly used financing mechanism, with 7.8% saying they always use debt to fund gambling.
- ~30% of 25 to 34 year olds gamble on debt regularly: 12.9% always and 16.6% often use debt to gamble. This is the highest rate of any age group by a wide margin.
- 18 to 34 year olds are the most at-risk cohort across every metric: Highest single-session losses, most likely to hide losses, most likely to use credit cards, overdrafts, borrowed money, and sold possessions to fund gambling.
- 72.2% of Americans 55+ never use debt to gamble: The oldest cohort is the most financially cautious across every funding and concealment metric.
These are the headline numbers. The six sections below break down the data behind each one: what Americans win and lose, what they hide, how often they play, how they pay for it, and how deep into debt their gambling goes.
Biggest Gambling Wins in America
The average American gambler who has ever won reports a lifetime biggest win of $9,058. That number hides an enormous gender gap: men report an average biggest win of $12,359, nearly double the female average of $6,325.
Only 1.6% of respondents say they have never had a gambling win. The most common win bracket is $101 to $500 (22.9%), meaning most Americans’ biggest lifetime wins fall in the low hundreds.
Biggest Win by Gender
| Win Bracket | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average biggest win | $9,058 | $12,359 | $6,325 |
| $1 to $20 | 6.6% | 4.2% | 8.5% |
| $101 to $500 | 22.9% | 21.9% | 23.8% |
| $501 to $1,000 | 18.6% | 18.3% | 18.9% |
| $1,001 to $5,000 | 18.1% | 19.8% | 16.7% |
| $5,001 to $10,000 | 6.4% | 7.9% | 5.2% |
| $10,001 to $20,000 | 3.7% | 4.9% | 2.7% |
| $50,001 to $100,000 | 1.3% | 1.1% | 1.5% |
| $100,001 to $200,000 | 1.4% | 2.0% | 0.9% |
| Never had a win | 1.6% | 1.1% | 1.9% |
Men are notably more likely to report very large wins. 4.9% of male respondents report a biggest win in the $10,001 to $20,000 range, compared to 2.7% of women. Men are also twice as likely as women to have won more than $100,000 (2.0% vs 0.9%).
Women cluster more heavily in the smaller brackets. 8.5% of women report a biggest win of just $1 to $20, double the male rate of 4.2%. Women are also slightly more likely to say they have never won anything (1.9% vs 1.1%). For a full breakdown of how women gamble differently across formats and demographics, see our Women and Gambling Statistics 2026.
Biggest Win by Age Group
| Win Bracket | All | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average biggest win | $9,058 | $9,424 | $10,751 | $10,412 | $7,909 | $7,300 |
| $1 to $20 | 6.6% | 11.8% | 6.8% | 4.4% | 6.9% | 7.0% |
| $101 to $500 | 22.9% | 24.3% | 21.2% | 20.6% | 26.3% | 23.5% |
| $1,001 to $5,000 | 18.1% | 8.8% | 17.3% | 18.8% | 18.6% | 19.8% |
| $10,001 to $20,000 | 3.7% | 2.2% | 3.9% | 4.4% | 3.8% | 3.8% |
| Won over $100,000 | 1.8% | 1.5% | 2.4% | 3.2% | 1.3% | 0.7% |
| Never had a win | 1.6% | 3.7% | 2.4% | 0.2% | 1.3% | 2.0% |
The 25 to 34 age bracket reports the highest average biggest wins at $10,751, followed closely by 35 to 44 year olds at $10,412. Those aged 55+ have the lowest average win at $7,300.
Young adults (18 to 24) are the most likely to have never won anything at 3.7%, likely reflecting less gambling experience. The 35 to 44 group has the highest share of $100,000+ wins at 3.2%, suggesting longer gambling histories with more high-value wins accumulated over time.
Top 10 States by Average Biggest Win
| State | Average Biggest Win |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $21,376 |
| Oklahoma | $17,322 |
| Arizona | $17,199 |
| Pennsylvania | $15,518 |
| Michigan | $13,331 |
| Florida | $13,238 |
| Colorado | $12,450 |
| Georgia | $11,542 |
| Connecticut | $11,034 |
| California | $10,738 |
Massachusetts leads all qualifying states with an average biggest win of $21,376, more than double the national average. Oklahoma ($17,322) and Arizona ($17,199) round out the top three.
Nevada, despite being America’s most iconic gambling destination, comes in at $9,466. That is consistent with the idea that regular Las Vegas players tend to have more moderate individual wins on record, even if they play more often.
Biggest Single-Session Gambling Losses
The average biggest single-day gambling loss reported by US adults is $4,632. The gender gap here is even wider than for wins: men report an average single-session loss of $7,422, more than three times the female average of $2,325.
Only 1.1% of respondents claim they have never lost money gambling. That is lower than the 1.6% who say they have never had a win. Almost every American who gambles has experienced at least a small loss.
Biggest Loss by Gender
| Loss Bracket | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average biggest loss | $4,632 | $7,422 | $2,325 |
| $1 to $20 | 15.7% | 10.2% | 20.1% |
| $21 to $100 | 24.4% | 20.6% | 27.6% |
| $101 to $500 | 27.1% | 28.5% | 25.9% |
| $501 to $1,000 | 13.0% | 14.7% | 11.7% |
| $1,001 to $5,000 | 9.3% | 11.5% | 7.5% |
| $5,001 to $10,000 | 4.1% | 5.6% | 2.9% |
| $10,001 to $20,000 | 1.5% | 2.7% | 0.5% |
| Over $50,000 | 1.7% | 2.7% | 0.9% |
| Never lost any amount | 1.1% | 0.4% | 1.6% |
The most common loss bracket is $101 to $500, accounting for more than a quarter of all respondents (27.1%). Women are twice as likely as men to report their biggest loss was only $1 to $20 (20.1% vs 10.2%), confirming that women tend to gamble more conservatively.
Men are three times as likely as women to have lost over $50,000 in a single session (2.7% vs 0.9%). That 1.7% national figure translates to an estimated 4.5 million US adults who have suffered a single-session loss above $50,000.
Biggest Loss by Age Group
| Loss Bracket | All | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average biggest loss | $4,632 | $6,557 | $6,356 | $5,212 | $5,280 | $1,910 |
| $1 to $20 | 15.7% | 22.8% | 13.7% | 11.5% | 14.0% | 20.3% |
| $21 to $100 | 24.4% | 25.0% | 22.0% | 20.0% | 26.5% | 28.6% |
| $101 to $500 | 27.1% | 20.6% | 20.5% | 27.9% | 30.6% | 30.3% |
| $501 to $1,000 | 13.0% | 8.8% | 17.8% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 10.3% |
| $1,001 to $5,000 | 9.3% | 6.6% | 11.2% | 12.7% | 8.2% | 6.5% |
| $5,001 to $10,000 | 4.1% | 3.7% | 7.1% | 5.5% | 3.1% | 2.6% |
| Over $10,000 | 4.5% | 6.6% | 6.1% | 6.6% | 3.1% | 1.8% |
The biggest single-session losses are concentrated in the 18 to 34 bracket. 18 to 24 year olds report an average worst-day loss of $6,557, and 25 to 34 year olds average $6,356. Both are more than three times the 55+ average of just $1,910.
The youngest cohort is also the most polarized. 22.8% of 18 to 24 year olds kept their biggest loss to $1 to $20, the highest rate of any age group. Yet 6.6% of the same group lost over $10,000 in a single session. This suggests a split between very cautious and very reckless young gamblers.
Top 10 States by Average Biggest Single-Session Loss
| State | Average Biggest Loss |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $14,989 |
| Mississippi | $9,744 |
| Oregon | $9,201 |
| Michigan | $9,166 |
| California | $6,616 |
| Georgia | $6,563 |
| Pennsylvania | $5,840 |
| New York | $5,641 |
| Texas | $5,330 |
| South Carolina | $4,914 |
Arizona leads with an average single-session loss of $14,989, more than $5,000 higher than second-placed Mississippi ($9,744) and more than three times the national average. Oregon ($9,201) and Michigan ($9,166) follow closely.
Nevada comes in at $4,776, close to the national average. This again suggests its large base of experienced gamblers tends to cap individual session losses rather than chase extreme results.
How Often Americans Hide Gambling Losses
This may be the most striking finding of the entire survey. More than one in five Americans (21.2%) say they have hidden or understated a gambling loss from someone close to them either “always” or “often.” A further 19.2% say “sometimes.” Only around 4 in 10 respondents claim to have never concealed a loss.
Applied to the US adult population, that 21.2% translates to roughly 56 million Americans who regularly hide gambling losses from the people closest to them.
Concealment by Gender
| Frequency | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always hide losses | 7.6% | 9.9% | 5.7% |
| Often hide losses | 13.6% | 15.4% | 12.1% |
| Sometimes hide losses | 19.2% | 19.5% | 18.9% |
| Rarely hide losses | 16.6% | 17.2% | 16.1% |
| Never hide losses | 42.5% | 37.4% | 46.7% |
Men are significantly more likely to conceal gambling losses. 25.3% of men say they always or often hide losses, compared to 17.8% of women. Women are almost 10 percentage points more likely than men to say they never hide losses (46.7% vs 37.4%).
The “sometimes” category is nearly identical across genders (19.5% vs 18.9%), suggesting that occasional concealment is equally common regardless of gender. The gap only opens at the habitual end of the scale.
Concealment by Age Group
| Frequency | All | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always hide losses | 7.6% | 11.8% | 14.2% | 8.3% | 5.1% | 2.9% |
| Often hide losses | 13.6% | 20.6% | 20.5% | 16.8% | 11.5% | 5.4% |
| Sometimes hide losses | 19.2% | 26.5% | 23.7% | 23.8% | 15.8% | 12.2% |
| Rarely hide losses | 16.6% | 19.1% | 14.2% | 18.8% | 18.2% | 16.5% |
| Never hide losses | 42.5% | 22.1% | 27.3% | 32.3% | 49.5% | 63.0% |
The generational divide here is stark. Among 18 to 24 year olds, 32.4% say they always or often hide gambling losses. That rises to 34.6% for the 25 to 34 bracket, making younger adults by far the most secretive gamblers.
By contrast, 63% of those aged 55+ say they never hide losses, nearly three times the rate of the youngest group (22.1%). This gap may reflect a combination of factors: younger gamblers hiding losses from parents, partners monitoring finances more closely in midlife, or simply that older gamblers have had more time to normalize gambling as part of household finances.
Most Secretive States: Top 10 “Always” Hide Losses
| State | % “Always” Hide Losses |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 22.7% |
| Louisiana | 14.7% |
| South Carolina | 12.5% |
| Alabama | 11.8% |
| Connecticut | 10.3% |
| Illinois | 9.9% |
| Maryland | 9.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 9.2% |
| Arizona | 9.1% |
| Colorado | 9.1% |
Most Transparent States: Top 10 “Never” Hide Losses
| State | % “Never” Hide Losses |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | 64.0% |
| Michigan | 54.7% |
| Connecticut | 51.7% |
| Missouri | 51.5% |
| Wisconsin | 51.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 49.5% |
| North Carolina | 49.5% |
| Florida | 49.0% |
| Oregon | 47.6% |
| Arkansas | 46.9% |
Mississippi (22.7%), Louisiana (14.7%), and South Carolina (12.5%) are the states where gambling secrecy is most entrenched. Minnesota is America’s most transparent gambling state, with 64% saying they never conceal losses.
Connecticut appears in both the top 10 for secrecy (10.3% “always”) and the top 10 for transparency (51.7% “never”). That dual ranking points to a polarized gambling culture: a large group of open gamblers alongside a smaller but highly secretive minority.
“When one in five Americans is hiding gambling losses from a partner or family member, you’re not looking at isolated problem behavior. You’re looking at a culture where gambling has outpaced the conversation around it.
Social media and influencer culture have reframed gambling as a financial strategy. You see it constantly: ‘this is how I turned $100 into $5,000.’ That messaging skips the part where most people lose, and it creates shame around admitting losses. The fix is not more restrictions. It is transparency and education. Players need honest data about what gambling actually looks like, including the losses. That is exactly why VIP-Grinders publishes this research.”
João Mourato, Head of iGaming Product at VIP-Grinders
How Often Americans Gamble
The average American gambles 5.77 times per month, just over once a week. Men gamble nearly 30% more often than women (6.56 vs 5.09 times per month). One in six respondents (16.1%) gamble daily or multiple times per day.
Monthly Frequency by Gender
| Frequency | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average times per month | 5.77 | 6.56 | 5.09 |
| Once a month | 16.1% | 13.4% | 18.3% |
| 2 to 3 times a month | 29.5% | 27.0% | 31.5% |
| Once a week | 20.8% | 21.1% | 20.6% |
| 2 to 3 times a week | 16.9% | 18.8% | 15.4% |
| Daily | 9.7% | 12.3% | 7.6% |
| Multiple times a day | 6.4% | 7.1% | 5.9% |
The most common frequency bracket is 2 to 3 times a month (29.5%), followed by once a week (20.8%). Together, these two brackets account for half of all respondents, placing the typical American gambler firmly in the “casual but regular” category.
The gender gap widens at the extremes. 12.3% of men gamble daily, versus 7.6% of women. At the other end, women are more likely to gamble just once a month (18.3% vs 13.4%). The “once a week” bracket is nearly identical across genders (21.1% vs 20.6%), suggesting the gender difference is driven by the tails, not the middle.
Monthly Frequency by Age Group
| Frequency | All | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average times per month | 5.77 | 6.36 | 6.90 | 6.68 | 5.55 | 4.24 |
| Once a month | 16.1% | 14.7% | 12.7% | 12.5% | 15.8% | 22.5% |
| 2 to 3 times a month | 29.5% | 24.3% | 24.4% | 26.0% | 31.6% | 36.6% |
| Once a week | 20.8% | 16.9% | 19.5% | 21.0% | 22.2% | 21.5% |
| 2 to 3 times a week | 16.9% | 20.6% | 20.0% | 19.8% | 15.8% | 11.6% |
| Daily | 9.7% | 12.5% | 13.2% | 11.7% | 9.1% | 5.4% |
| Multiple times a day | 6.4% | 10.3% | 10.0% | 8.5% | 4.7% | 2.6% |
The 25 to 34 age group gambles most frequently at 6.90 times per month, followed closely by 35 to 44 year olds at 6.68. Americans 55+ gamble the least at 4.24 times per month.
The daily and multiple-times-a-day rows tell a sharper story. Among 18 to 24 year olds, 22.8% gamble daily or more (12.5% daily + 10.3% multiple times a day). For 25 to 34 year olds, it is 23.2%. By comparison, just 8.0% of those 55+ gamble at that intensity. Nearly one in four Americans under 35 gambles every single day.
Top 10 States by Average Monthly Frequency
| State | Average Times per Month |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | 8.0 |
| Michigan | 7.5 |
| Arizona | 7.5 |
| Colorado | 7.4 |
| Oklahoma | 6.9 |
| Georgia | 6.7 |
| Illinois | 6.6 |
| Florida | 6.5 |
| Pennsylvania | 6.4 |
| New York | 6.2 |
Connecticut leads all qualifying states at 8.0 sessions per month, roughly twice a week. Michigan and Arizona tie for second at 7.5, followed by Colorado at 7.4.
Arizona continues to appear across multiple rankings: top 3 for biggest wins, #1 for biggest losses, and now top 3 for gambling frequency. That combination of high frequency, high wins, and high losses points to an especially active gambling population.
How Americans Fund Their Gambling
This section covers the seven non-cash funding sources respondents were asked about: credit cards, borrowed money, overdrafts, cryptocurrency, selling possessions, pawning items, and payday loans. Each percentage reflects the share of respondents who have ever used that method to fund gambling, not current or regular use.
The headline number: 25.4% of Americans have used a credit card to fund gambling. Applied to the US adult population, that translates to roughly 67 million people.
Funding Sources by Gender
| Funding Method | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 25.4% | 29.6% | 21.9% |
| Borrowed money | 16.6% | 21.5% | 12.5% |
| Overdraft | 12.1% | 15.3% | 9.4% |
| Sold possessions | 9.4% | 12.0% | 7.3% |
| Cryptocurrency | 9.0% | 13.2% | 5.5% |
| Pawned items | 7.9% | 10.5% | 5.8% |
| Payday loan | 6.3% | 8.6% | 4.4% |
Men lead in every single funding category. The widest gender gap is in borrowed money (21.5% vs 12.5%, a 9 percentage point difference) and cryptocurrency (13.2% vs 5.5%). Men are nearly 2.4 times more likely than women to have used crypto to fund gambling.
Credit cards are the most common non-cash funding source for both genders. Nearly 30% of men and 22% of women have used a credit card to gamble. Payday loans sit at the bottom (6.3% overall), but even that figure translates to roughly 16.6 million US adults who have taken out a payday loan specifically to gamble.
Funding Sources by Age Group
| Funding Method | All | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | 25.4% | 36.0% | 34.6% | 30.0% | 21.8% | 14.3% |
| Borrowed money | 16.6% | 28.7% | 25.4% | 19.5% | 12.2% | 6.7% |
| Overdraft | 12.1% | 22.1% | 18.5% | 14.1% | 8.7% | 4.4% |
| Sold possessions | 9.4% | 15.4% | 13.7% | 11.5% | 6.4% | 3.8% |
| Cryptocurrency | 9.0% | 15.4% | 16.1% | 10.7% | 5.5% | 2.6% |
| Pawned items | 7.9% | 14.0% | 12.0% | 9.5% | 4.9% | 3.5% |
| Payday loan | 6.3% | 11.0% | 10.7% | 7.1% | 4.5% | 2.2% |
Nearly every funding method follows the same age pattern: highest among 18 to 24 year olds, declining steadily with each older bracket. Cryptocurrency is the sole exception.
36% of 18 to 24 year olds have used a credit card to gamble. That is 2.5 times the rate of those 55+ (14.3%). For borrowed money, the gap is even wider: 28.7% of 18 to 24 year olds versus just 6.7% of those 55+, a ratio of more than 4 to 1.
The crypto numbers follow the same slope but with a distinct peak. The 25 to 34 bracket leads crypto funding at 16.1%, slightly ahead of the 18 to 24 group at 15.4%. This is the only funding method where 25 to 34 year olds outpace the youngest cohort, consistent with the higher crypto ownership and exchange access in that demographic. For a deeper look at how cryptocurrency is reshaping the gambling industry, see our Crypto Casino Market Report.
An estimated 12 million Americans aged 18 to 34 have sold personal possessions to fund their gambling (15.4% of 18 to 24 year olds and 13.7% of 25 to 34 year olds). Among those 55+, that figure drops to 3.8%.
Top 10 States for Credit Card Gambling
| State | % Used Credit Card |
|---|---|
| Arizona | 33.3% |
| Florida | 33.3% |
| Michigan | 32.8% |
| Colorado | 31.8% |
| Georgia | 28.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 27.3% |
| Illinois | 26.7% |
| New York | 26.6% |
| Ohio | 26.3% |
| California | 25.7% |
Top 10 States for Cryptocurrency Gambling
| State | % Used Cryptocurrency |
|---|---|
| Colorado | 19.3% |
| Connecticut | 17.2% |
| Arizona | 15.2% |
| Michigan | 13.1% |
| Oklahoma | 12.7% |
| Georgia | 10.3% |
| Illinois | 10.0% |
| Pennsylvania | 9.3% |
| California | 8.9% |
| Florida | 8.2% |
Top 10 States for Overdraft Gambling
| State | % Used Overdraft |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 25.0% |
| Connecticut | 17.2% |
| Arizona | 16.7% |
| Oklahoma | 16.5% |
| Georgia | 14.3% |
| Michigan | 13.1% |
| Colorado | 12.5% |
| Florida | 12.0% |
| California | 11.3% |
| Illinois | 10.4% |
Arizona and Florida tie for the highest credit card gambling rate at 33.3%. Colorado leads crypto gambling at 19.3%, more than double the national average. Mississippi has the highest overdraft gambling rate at 25.0%, consistent with its #1 ranking for loss concealment.
“9% of Americans have used cryptocurrency to fund gambling. That number will only grow. Crypto removes the friction of traditional banking: no card declines, no bank flags, no waiting days for withdrawals. For players who want speed and privacy, it is already the preferred method.
But the real story in this data is the age curve. Credit cards, overdrafts, borrowed money, sold possessions, payday loans: all of them peak among 18 to 24 year olds and drop with every older bracket. That is not about crypto or any one payment method. That is a generation that has grown up with gambling apps on their phones and influencers framing sports bets as investment advice. The tool is not the problem. The lack of financial education around gambling is.”
João Mourato, Head of iGaming Product at VIP-Grinders
Debt, Credit, and Borrowing to Gamble
The final section of the survey asked respondents how often they use three specific financial mechanisms to fund gambling: borrowed money, credit, and debt. Unlike the funding sources in the previous section (which measured “ever used”), these questions measure frequency: always, often, sometimes, rarely, or never.
The pattern across all three is consistent. Debt is the most commonly used, followed by credit, then borrowing. Men use all three more often than women. And the age gradient is the steepest of any section in this survey.
Borrowing to Gamble by Gender
| Frequency | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always borrow to gamble | 6.4% | 8.0% | 5.1% |
| Often | 8.4% | 10.6% | 6.5% |
| Sometimes | 14.1% | 16.2% | 12.3% |
| Rarely | 15.4% | 16.5% | 14.5% |
| Never | 55.2% | 48.3% | 60.9% |
14.8% of Americans always or often borrow money to gamble (6.4% always + 8.4% often). Among men, that figure is 18.6%. Among women, 11.6%. More than 60% of women say they never borrow to gamble, compared to just 48.3% of men.
Credit to Gamble by Gender
| Frequency | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always use credit to gamble | 7.2% | 9.0% | 5.7% |
| Often | 9.3% | 11.5% | 7.5% |
| Sometimes | 14.8% | 16.7% | 13.3% |
| Rarely | 14.7% | 15.2% | 14.3% |
| Never | 53.5% | 47.0% | 58.8% |
Credit usage runs slightly higher than borrowing. 16.5% of Americans always or often use credit to gamble (7.2% always + 9.3% often). The gender gap follows the same shape: 20.5% of men versus 13.2% of women at the “always or often” level. Nearly 59% of women never use credit to gamble.
Debt to Gamble by Gender
Debt is the broadest of the three categories and the most commonly reported. It captures any form of financial obligation used to fund gambling, whether credit, borrowed funds, or other debt instruments.
| Frequency | All | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always use debt to gamble | 7.8% | 9.8% | 6.1% |
| Often | 9.1% | 11.4% | 7.2% |
| Sometimes | 14.0% | 16.3% | 12.1% |
| Rarely | 14.3% | 14.7% | 13.9% |
| Never | 54.3% | 47.2% | 60.2% |
16.9% of Americans always or often use debt to gamble (7.8% always + 9.1% often). Among men, the figure is 21.2%. Among women, 13.3%. The gender gap at the “never” level is 13 percentage points: 60.2% of women versus 47.2% of men.
Across all three tables, the pattern is the same: men are roughly 1.6 times more likely than women to use borrowed money, credit, or debt at the “always or often” level. Women are consistently 11 to 13 percentage points more likely to say “never.”
Debt to Gamble by Age Group
| Frequency | All | 18 to 24 | 25 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always use debt to gamble | 7.8% | 11.0% | 12.9% | 10.0% | 5.5% | 3.3% |
| Often | 9.1% | 13.2% | 16.6% | 11.5% | 6.2% | 3.3% |
| Sometimes | 14.0% | 19.1% | 17.1% | 16.6% | 13.1% | 8.5% |
| Rarely | 14.3% | 16.9% | 15.1% | 16.6% | 14.2% | 12.7% |
| Never | 54.3% | 39.0% | 37.6% | 44.9% | 60.5% | 72.2% |
This is the sharpest generational divide in the entire survey. Among 25 to 34 year olds, 29.5% always or often use debt to gamble (12.9% always + 16.6% often). That is nearly five times the rate of those 55+ (6.6%).
Only 37.6% of 25 to 34 year olds say they never use debt to gamble. By comparison, 72.2% of those 55+ never do. The gap is 34.6 percentage points, the widest age-based “never” gap in any section of this survey.
The 18 to 24 bracket sits at 24.2% “always or often,” lower than the 25 to 34 group. This is one of the few metrics where the very youngest cohort is not the most extreme. The 25 to 34 bracket may carry higher debt-funded gambling because they have greater access to credit products, mortgages, and lines of credit than 18 to 24 year olds who are often still building credit histories.
Top 10 States for Habitual Debt-Funded Gambling (“Always”)
| State | % “Always” Use Debt |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 18.2% |
| Arizona | 15.2% |
| Oklahoma | 12.7% |
| Michigan | 11.5% |
| Colorado | 11.4% |
| Connecticut | 10.3% |
| Louisiana | 8.8% |
| Georgia | 7.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 7.8% |
| Illinois | 7.6% |
Top 10 States for Habitual Credit-Funded Gambling (“Always”)
| State | % “Always” Use Credit |
|---|---|
| Mississippi | 20.5% |
| Arizona | 13.6% |
| Oklahoma | 12.7% |
| Colorado | 12.5% |
| Connecticut | 10.3% |
| Michigan | 9.8% |
| Georgia | 7.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 7.6% |
| Florida | 7.5% |
| Illinois | 7.2% |
Mississippi leads both tables. 18.2% of Mississippi respondents always use debt to gamble. 20.5% always use credit. Both figures are more than double the national average. Arizona ranks second in both categories, consistent with its position at the top of nearly every risk metric in this survey.
The overlap between these two lists is significant. Mississippi, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, Connecticut, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Illinois appear in both top 10s. The states where gambling is most often funded by debt are the same states where it is most often funded by credit.
“Nearly 30% of Americans aged 25 to 34 regularly gamble on debt. That is the number that should concern policymakers more than any headline about a new betting app or a crypto casino launch.
Gambling is entertainment. It should be funded from disposable income, not from credit cards, overdrafts, or borrowed money. When a quarter of young adults are routinely going into debt to gamble, the conversation needs to shift from which platforms to restrict to how we equip players with the tools to manage their own bankroll and set their own boundaries. Players are adults. They make good decisions when they have good information. The data is clear: the older generation already treats gambling this way. 72% of Americans over 55 never use debt to gamble. That is the standard younger players need to reach, and they will not get there through bans. They will get there through better information.”
João Mourato, Head of iGaming Product at VIP-Grinders
Key Takeaways
Six patterns emerge consistently across every section of this survey. Each one holds whether measured by gender, age, or state.
- 1Men gamble bigger, lose bigger, and hide more: Men report nearly double the average biggest win ($12,359 vs $6,325), more than triple the average biggest loss ($7,422 vs $2,325), gamble 30% more often, and are 7.5 percentage points more likely to always or often hide losses. They lead women in every non-cash funding category.
- 2Americans aged 18 to 34 are the most financially exposed gamblers: Highest single-session losses, most likely to hide losses, most likely to use credit cards, overdrafts, borrowed money, and payday loans. 29.5% of 25 to 34 year olds regularly gamble on debt. Nearly one in four gambles daily or more.
- 3Hiding losses is routine, not rare: 21.2% of Americans always or often conceal gambling losses. A further 19.2% sometimes do. Fewer than half of all respondents (42.5%) say they never hide losses.
- 4Credit cards are the most common non-cash gambling funding source: 25.4% of Americans have used a credit card to gamble. 36% of 18 to 24 year olds have done so. 9% have used cryptocurrency, with the 25 to 34 bracket leading at 16.1%.
- 5Debt-funded gambling is concentrated in the same states: Mississippi, Arizona, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Connecticut appear repeatedly across state rankings for loss concealment, overdraft use, debt-funded gambling, and credit-funded gambling. The geographic overlap suggests structural factors beyond individual behavior.
- 6Older Americans gamble more responsibly across every metric: 72.2% of those 55+ never use debt to gamble. 63% never hide losses. They gamble the least often (4.24 times per month) and report the lowest average single-session losses ($1,910). This cohort sets the benchmark for what financially sustainable gambling looks like.
Expert Commentary
“This survey does not describe a gambling crisis. It describes an information crisis.
The average American gambler wins $9,058 and loses $4,632 in their worst session. Those numbers are not small. But the real finding is not about dollar amounts. It is about who hides, who borrows, and who goes into debt to keep playing.
One in five Americans regularly hides gambling losses. Nearly 30% of 25 to 34 year olds gamble on debt. 36% of the youngest adults have used a credit card to fund gambling. Every single at-risk metric is highest among the youngest players and lowest among those 55 and older. That age gradient does not happen by accident. It tells you that experience and financial literacy are the strongest protective factors against harmful gambling behavior.
We publish this data because VIP-Grinders has always believed that informed players make better decisions. Gambling should be entertainment, funded from disposable income, with full awareness of the odds and the cost. The industry does not need more restrictions. Heavier regulation consistently leads to a worse product, and when that happens, players simply move to less regulated platforms with fewer protections. The answer is more transparency. Players need to see what gambling actually looks like across 2,000 real Americans, not through the lens of influencer highlight reels or operator marketing. That is what this survey delivers.”
João Mourato, Head of iGaming Product at VIP-Grinders
FAQs
How many Americans were surveyed?
This survey covers 2,000 US adults (901 male, 1,096 female, 3 other/prefer not to say) across all 50 states plus Washington D.C. Fieldwork was conducted online between May 5 and 7, 2026. Respondents span five age groups: 18 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, and 55+.
How much does the average American win gambling?
The average biggest gambling win reported by US adults in this survey is $9,058. Men report an average of $12,359, nearly double the female average of $6,325. The 25 to 34 age group reports the highest average biggest win at $10,751. Massachusetts leads all qualifying states at $21,376.
How much does the average American lose gambling?
The average biggest single-session gambling loss is $4,632. Men report an average worst-session loss of $7,422, more than three times the female average of $2,325. Americans aged 18 to 24 report the highest average single-session loss at $6,557. Arizona leads all qualifying states at $14,989.
How many Americans hide gambling losses?
21.2% of respondents say they always or often hide gambling losses from someone close to them. Applied to the US adult population, that translates to roughly 56 million Americans. Among men, 25.3% always or often hide losses. Among 25 to 34 year olds, the figure is 34.6%. Mississippi has the highest state-level rate of habitual concealment at 22.7%.
How do Americans fund their gambling?
The most common non-cash funding source is credit cards (25.4%), followed by borrowed money (16.6%), overdrafts (12.1%), sold possessions (9.4%), cryptocurrency (9.0%), pawned items (7.9%), and payday loans (6.3%). Every funding method is most common among 18 to 24 year olds, except cryptocurrency, where 25 to 34 year olds lead at 16.1%.
How many Americans gamble on debt?
16.9% of respondents say they always or often use debt to fund gambling. Among 25 to 34 year olds, that figure rises to 29.5%. By contrast, 72.2% of Americans aged 55+ say they never use debt to gamble. Mississippi has the highest state-level rate of habitual debt-funded gambling at 18.2%.
Which states have the most extreme gambling behavior?
Several states appear repeatedly across the survey’s risk metrics. Mississippi ranks #1 for loss concealment (22.7% “always”), habitual debt gambling (18.2%), and habitual credit gambling (20.5%). Arizona ranks #1 for biggest single-session losses ($14,989), and appears in the top 3 for biggest wins, gambling frequency, and debt-funded gambling. Connecticut leads for gambling frequency (8.0 times per month) and appears in both the most secretive and most transparent state lists.
What is the methodology of this survey?
This survey was commissioned by VIP-Grinders and conducted via online panel among 2,000 US adults between May 5 and 7, 2026. The sample covers all 50 states plus Washington D.C., four US census regions, and 29 major cities. State-level rankings include only states with 20 or more respondents (32 qualifying states). States with very small sub-samples (such as Wyoming with 2 respondents, Idaho with 6, and DC with 6) are excluded from state rankings to avoid misleading averages. Population estimates use the US Census Bureau’s estimate of approximately 264 million adults aged 18 and over.
Methodology & Sources
Survey Details
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Commissioned by | VIP-Grinders |
| Fieldwork dates | May 5 to 7, 2026 |
| Method | Online panel survey |
| Sample size | 2,000 US adults |
| Gender split | 901 male, 1,096 female, 3 other/prefer not to say |
| Age groups | 18 to 24, 25 to 34, 35 to 44, 45 to 54, 55+ |
| Geographic coverage | All 50 states + Washington D.C., 4 census regions, 29 major cities |
| State ranking threshold | Minimum 20 respondents per state (32 qualifying states) |
| Population base for extrapolations | ~264 million US adults aged 18+ (US Census Bureau) |
Data Quality Notes
- State sample sizes vary: 32 states met the minimum threshold of 20 respondents. States with smaller sub-samples (Wyoming n=2, Idaho n=6, Washington D.C. n=6) are excluded from all state rankings. Even qualifying states have relatively small samples, so state-level figures should be treated as directional rather than precise estimates.
- Population extrapolations are estimates: Figures like ~56 million (concealment) and ~67 million (credit card gambling) are calculated by applying survey percentages to the US adult population of approximately 264 million. These are directional projections, not exact counts.
- Win and loss brackets are selective: The survey dataset presents selected win and loss brackets rather than all possible ranges. Some intermediate brackets are not shown, so bracket percentages within a table may not sum to 100%.
- Self-reported data: All figures are based on respondent self-reports. Gambling wins may be overestimated and losses underestimated due to recall bias and social desirability effects. Concealment rates may also be understated for the same reason.
- Online panel limitations: The survey was conducted via online panel, which excludes adults without internet access. This may slightly skew the sample toward more digitally active respondents, potentially overrepresenting online gambling behaviors.
- Gender sample note: The sample includes 901 male and 1,096 female respondents (3 other/prefer not to say). All gender comparisons use percentages within each gender group, not raw counts.
Update Schedule
This page is part of the VIP-Grinders research programme. The URL is evergreen and will be updated in place each year rather than creating a new page. If the survey is repeated annually, the same page will be updated with fresh data. Headline statistics will be replaced with current figures, year-over-year trends will be added where relevant, and new sections will be introduced only when genuine new patterns emerge.
If you are a journalist, researcher, or analyst using data from this survey, contact João Mourato at VIP-Grinders for verification, additional context, or access to the underlying data tables.