AGA Publishes Survey on American Attitudes Towards Gaming in 2024

Article by : Milena Petrovska Sep 4, 2024

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The American Gaming Association published a survey regarding Americans’ gambling habits just before the start of the NFL season. The results, published on August 28, showed that 55% of adults in the US participated in some form of gambling in the past year.

Out of them, 21% placed at least one sports bet and 28% gambled in a brick-and-mortar casino. Engagement levels were through the roof as 88% of Americans find gambling acceptable for them or others.

Casino Visitation Rate the Highest on Record

Around 49% of the population, or 122 million adult Americans, stated that they’ve visited a physical casino “for gambling or other entertainment purposes” in the last year. That’s the highest visitation rate on record.

For comparison, the visitation rate in the past five years was 41% (2023), 34% (2022), 28% (2021), and 28% (2020). The only time visitation rates peaked was in 2019, when 44% of the adult population stated that they’d visited a casino for gambling or other purposes.

Moreover, the average age of visitors keeps declining. In 2020, the average age was 43.6, whereas the average age in 2024 was 41.9. To add to that, 76% of Americans believe that the gambling industry “has a positive impact on the overall U.S. economy.”

Many people (80%) believe that the gambling industry creates jobs that pay well, and 84% agree that casinos are responsible for increased tourism. Another 85% believe that gambling establishments bring entertaining and more dining options to areas that might not be able to attract them.

Three-Quarters of Americans Believe Gambling Industry “Behaves Responsibly”

Gambling may be expanding in the US, but respondents believe that the expansion is done responsibly. They’re optimistic about their approach, as 65% of the respondents believe that gambling establishments are committed to combating problem gambling and encouraging responsible gambling activities. This number is 10% higher than last year.

Out of the people who actively gamble, 81% of casino players and 88% of sports bettors state that the industry respects RG guidelines. In terms of promotion and marketing, 65% of the respondents believe that the sector is truthful in its marketing, and 73% believe that it’s “responsible in its marketing efforts.”

What’s even better is that 66% of Americans believe that responsible gambling programs are effective. Of those who actively gamble, the rate was even higher—79% of casino players and 85% of sports bettors believe in the effectiveness of RG programs.

Awareness is also increasing as 66% of all Americans stated that they’d seen responsible gambling messages in the past year, and 76% stated that they were familiar with a minimum of one responsible gambling source.

Responsibility Efforts “Stronger Than Ever,” According to AGA’s Senior Vice President

While speaking about the survey, Joe Maloney, the senior vice president of AGA, said that as gambling continued to expand, Americans could see all of the benefits that come from a legal and regulated marketplace. He also added that legal gambling establishments provided residents with not just entertainment but also contributions to the community.

Mahoney added that the “responsibility efforts are stronger than ever,” and the best part was that consumers noticed this. He ended by saying that AGA was focused and motivated to continue its work and provide consumers with “safe and fun gaming experiences.”