According to the American Gaming Association’s (AGA) most recent annual consumer survey, a record number of Americans participated in legal gaming in 2025. The findings also show that players are becoming more aware of ethical gaming practices and preferring legal gaming options. Sustained bipartisan support for sports betting is another noteworthy discovery.
Over half of US adults (57%) said they had gambled in some capacity during the previous year, according to the survey. The outcomes contribute to the industry’s economic effect and commitment to responsibility being acknowledged. AGA President and CEO Bill Miller stated, “These results underscore a sustainable foundation for the American gaming industry, reflecting strong consumer confidence in a state-regulated market as a safe and trusted form of entertainment.”
With more people visiting, casinos boost employment, income, and tourism.
Approximately 53% of US adults, or 134 million Americans, visited casinos in the last year. This is the first time that the number of visits has exceeded halfway. Additionally, about 75% of Americans think that having casinos in their states is advantageous since they support local companies, create jobs, raise taxes, and encourage tourism.
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This impetus is being strengthened by the fact that several states are presently contemplating new licenses for commercial casinos. For instance:
According to a study, downtown Indianapolis could host a casino in Indiana, generating significant tax revenues if it is permitted.
The Tejon Indian Tribe and Hard Rock International are pursuing a massive resort-casino in Kern County, California, which could have significant effects on the state’s economy and gaming capacity.
The Resorts World New York City project is a strong contender for one of the three downstate commercial casino licenses in New York; if granted, it could open by mid-2026 and bring in billions of dollars and thousands of jobs.
74% of Americans approve legal, regulated sports betting, which enjoys widespread bipartisan support. Furthermore, 78% of Americans view sports betting as entertainment. This support coincides with states like Missouri getting ready to join the regulated market, demonstrating that developing nations expect competition from border states and see legalized gambling as a component of economic strategy.
As market oversight increases, regulated gaming gains player trust.
Online gamers overwhelmingly favour regulated platforms, as evidenced by the fact that 93% of sports bettors and 90% of iGaming players think legality is a decision factor when choosing where to play. Nonetheless, almost 40% of bettors and gamers say they have trouble telling the difference between legitimate and illicit services.
Seventy percent of citizens in states where sports betting is permitted think that the sector behaves ethically in marketing and advertising, which is crucial for pointing players in the direction of legal possibilities.
Regulators are acting appropriately. In order to safeguard consumer interests and uphold legal market dynamics, the state of Michigan issued cease-and-desist orders to eight unregistered online casinos that were thought to be unlawful. According to industry-wide assessments, illicit online gambling companies may have contributed over 74% of US online gross gaming revenue in 2024, highlighting the magnitude of the problem even as regulated marketplaces grow.
Courtesy: https://www.covers.com, https://www.casino.org, https://pechanga.net
What percentage of US adults gambled legally in 2025?
About 57% of US adults participated in legal gaming in the past year.
How many Americans visited casinos in the last year?
Around 134 million Americans, or 53% of adults, visited casinos.
Do most Americans support legal sports betting?
Yes, 74% of Americans approve of legal, regulated sports betting.
Why do Americans prefer regulated gaming platforms?
Because 90–93% of players view legality as key for safety and trust.
How are states addressing illegal online casinos?
States like Michigan are issuing cease-and-desist orders to unlicensed sites.
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