A new Gallup poll found that 45 percent of American adults participated in at least one form of gambling over the past year, marking a decline from levels reported a decade ago. The results indicate that gambling participation has dropped from 64 percent in 2014 and 63 percent in 2007.
The survey identified purchasing state lottery tickets as the most frequent gambling activity, with 31 percent of respondents reporting a purchase. Other activities included visiting casinos, reported by 14 percent of participants, and betting on professional sports, reported by 7 percent.
The findings were released as prediction market platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket gain visibility. These platforms allow users to place money on the outcomes of various global events, including elections and wars. While these markets are regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), they currently face legal challenges regarding their status as gambling operations.
The scale of this shift is reflected in the 45 percent participation rate, which suggests that fewer than half of American adults now engage in these activities annually. For a household that previously allocated funds to lottery tickets or sports betting, this change represents a shift in discretionary spending. The data also highlights the relatively small footprint of sports betting at 7 percent, despite its increased availability in many jurisdictions over recent years.
The decline in traditional gambling occurs alongside a legal debate over the definition of the practice. In late July 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) announced a lawsuit against Kalshi, alleging the platform operates an illegal gambling business without a state license or tax payments. The outcome of such legal actions and the growth of prediction markets could set precedents for how digital wagering is taxed and regulated. Future Gallup surveys will likely determine if these new platforms eventually offset the current downward trend in participation. The poll, conducted July 1-19, had a margin of error of 4 percentage points.