The latest survey conducted by the National Council on Problem Gambling has revealed that there is less risk for problem gambling today than before the COVID-19 pandemic, but there is still a long way to go when it comes to challenges, including that nearly 20 million adults in the US have reported behaviors related to problem gambling.

The latest national survey by the National Council on Problem Gambling reveals a promising decline in the number of Americans experiencing problem gambling behaviors since the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, with almost 20 million adults still reporting troubling gambling activity, the organization warns that continued federal and state-level support is vital to prevent a backslide.

Released today, the NGAGE 3.0 survey (National Survey on Gambling Attitudes and Gambling Experiences) presents a mixed picture: while progress has been made in public awareness and access to support services, high-risk behaviors remain concentrated in vulnerable demographics, such as younger adults, frequent sports bettors, and online gamblers.

"This new research shows that the nationwide efforts in responsible gambling and public awareness are making a positive impact, but the work is far from over," said the President of NCPG's Board of Directors, Derek Longmeier.

Encouraging trends since the pandemic

The survey found that approximately 20 million US adults reported experiencing at least one problematic gambling behavior "many times" in the past year - a decrease from 2021's 27.5 million. This reversal suggests that expanded outreach, increased use of helplines like 1-800-GAMBLER, and broader public education campaigns are beginning to move the needle in a positive direction.

Nonetheless, the figure remains higher than in 2018, indicating that gambling-related harm is still more prevalent than before the pandemic. "We must build on this momentum by embedding problem gambling into the broader public health infrastructure and investing in what we know works," Longmeier emphasized.

Risk concentrated among specific groups

The NGAGE 3.0 data highlight that the most vulnerable gambling demographics continue to bear the brunt of gambling harm:

  • 28% of those gambling on ten or more activities showed signs of problem behavior.
  • 35% of people who gambled on three or more types of activities weekly or more often meet concern thresholds.
  • Fantasy sports bettors (24%) and traditional sports bettors (17%) reported notably high rates of gambling issues.
  • Young adults (ages 18 - 34) showed a higher incidence (15%) of gambling-related problems, compared to just 2% among those 55 and older.
  • Men (10%) were almost twice as likely as women (5%) to report gambling-related challenges.

Additionally, the surge in online gambling - now reported by 22% of Americans, up from 15% in 2018 - correlates with an increase in high-risk behavior. Parlay betting, in particular, nearly doubled in popularity since 2018, raising red flags about potential loss-chasing and compulsive tendencies.

Gaps in public understanding and treatment confidence

Despite these concerning statistics, merely 39% of Americans view gambling addiction as a "very serious" health issue, trailing behind perceptions of drug addiction (62%) and alcoholism (55%). Alarmingly, 37% of people exhibiting risky gambling behavior said they believe recovery is unlikely - more than double the rate of the general population.

These findings demonstrate the need for continued public education and stigma reduction. NCPG leaders say that while awareness is improving, skepticism about treatment efficacy and misunderstandings about gambling's severity remain significant barriers to progress.

Federal action urged to sustain progress

While the NCPG survey signals hopeful trends, it also sends a clear message: stabilization does not mean resolution. NCPG is calling for the federal government to allocate a portion of the sports betting excise tax directly to gambling addiction services, establishing a sustainable and dedicated funding stream for prevention, research, and proper treatment.

"All who profit from gambling, including the government, have an ethical imperative to use some of that money to mitigate gambling's harms," Longmeier said. "Gambling addiction deserves to be treated by the states as the serious health crisis that it is."

The organization also continues to work with state affiliates to ensure that gambling tax revenues are directed specifically toward gambling addiction support - an area that is too often overshadowed by broader substance abuse programs.