Gambling Habits of Online Players in the USA
Did you know the amount of time people spend gambling online can vary significantly based on factors like age and gender?
We conducted a survey and asked 300 gamblers in the US about their gambling habits. The results reveal fascinating connections between demographic characteristics and gambling behaviors.
On this page, we will examine the results, highlight key findings from our survey, and explore insights drawn from the data to better understand these trends.
Top 8 Insights from Our Gambling Habits Survey
From employment status to age and spending habits, our survey highlights key trends shaping online gambling behaviors. Here’s a look at the top insights, from why people gamble to how often—and the games they prefer most.
Employment Status and Gambling
The full-time employees we surveyed were likelier to gamble several times a week, while part-time and unemployed employees rarely gambled, indicating generally responsible gambling habits.
Motivations for Gambling
The potential to win money motivated a majority of participants to gamble online, but entertainment was also a significant factor.
Gender and Gambling Frequency
A majority of the women surveyed gambled rarely but were also more likely than men to gamble on a daily basis.
Game Preferences
Slots are the number one preferred casino game, with blackjack coming in second.
Age and Gambling Activity
Those in their 30s and 40s gambled online daily and several times a week, while others gambled less, suggesting this age range was most engaged.
Spending Habits and Age
Most respondents in the 20-40s age range spent between $1-$100 a month gambling online, while older generations typically spent less.
Influences on Casino Choice
The potential to win money motivated a majority of participants to gamble online, but entertainment was also a significant factor.
Responsible Gambling Initiatives
Most participants feel online casinos should put more effort into promoting responsible gambling.
Research Overview
Between August 5 and August 8, 2024, OnlineUnitesStatesCasinos.com asked 300 gamblers 18 and older to participate in a Typeform survey about their gambling habits.
Our goal was to provide valuable insights into how factors like age, gender, race, and employment status can influence US gamblers’ choices.
Most of our respondents were in their 30s and 40s, employed full-time, with an almost equal balance of genders and a diverse ethnic background.
We not only collected data about the demographic of our participants but also key information such as their spending habits, gambling frequency, and casino selection, which we analyzed to identify intriguing patterns and trends.
Gambling Habits Insights Explained
Digging deeper into the survey results, we break down the specific habits that define today’s online gamblers. From spending patterns to game choices, these insights offer a closer look at what drives gambling behaviors across different groups.
1. Full-Time Workers Are More Likely to Gamble Frequently
Our survey revealed a distinct connection between employment status and online gambling.
Among our respondents, 53.7% work full-time, 16% are part-time, 9.3% are unemployed, 8% are not in paid work, and 1% are due to start a job within a month.
Notably, 33% of full-time employees gamble either rarely or several times a week, while part-time workers and the unemployed tend to gamble less frequently. Here’s a breakdown:
- 17% of those who are employed full-time gamble rarely, while 16% gamble several times a week.
- Of the 16% who work part-time, 7.3% gamble rarely.
- Of the 8% who are not in paid work (retirees, homemakers), 4% gamble rarely, followed by 2.7% who gamble daily.
- 4% of the unemployed gamble rarely.
- Of those who are due to start a job within a month, an equal .3% gamble rarely, several times a week, and once a month.
💡 This suggests most participants likely take a responsible approach to their hobby and bet within their means.
2. Participants Aged 30-49 Gamble More Than Other Age Groups
Our findings uncovered that those in their 30s and 40s lead the pack as the most active gamblers, engaging daily or several times a week, followed closely by participants in their 20s.
Conversely, 50 and up gambled pretty infrequently. Here’s the breakdown:
- Daily: Primarily those in their 40s (34.2%), closely followed by the 30s and 20s.
- Several times a week: Highest among those in their 30s (37.3%) and 40s (32%).
- Once a week: Mostly people in their 30s and 40s (29% each).
- Once a month: Fairly even spread between all age groups.
- Rarely gamble: Most in their 30s (36.6%), followed by those in their 20s and 40s.
💡 We could attribute these differences to younger generations growing up with the internet and being inherently more comfortable using it to gamble.
3. The Potential to Win Money is the Main Motivation for Gambling
So why do our participants gamble online in the first place?
A significant 74% responded their primary motivation was to win money.
However, a large portion (68%) said they did it purely for entertainment.
The thrill of winning was the main reason for 55%, while 34% were drawn to redeeming bonuses and promotions.
The rest of the group cited other factors like accessibility and socialization.
💡 The data suggests that although money is a big motivator, entertainment value is almost equally as important.
4. The 30-49 Age Range Are the Biggest Monthly Spenders on Gambling
The majority of our participants in their 30s and 40s spent $1-$50 a month gambling, while those in their 30s were more likely to spend between $50 and $100.
When we get to the $100-$500 range, participants in their 40s take a slight lead.
They also spend between $500 and $1,000 more frequently, although interestingly, 20-year-olds are close behind in that category. Here’s the breakdown:
- $1-$50 a month: It is the most common spending range. Primarily participants in their 30s (40), followed by those in their 20s (28) and 40s (22).
- $50-$100 a month: Mostly participants in their 30s (24), with fewer in their 40s (15) and 20s (14).
- $100-$500 a month: Respondents in their 40s take the lead (18), with 17 in their 30s and ten in their 20s.
- $500-$1,000 a month: Less common overall, but more frequent among those in their 40s (8) and 20s (7), with only three in their 30s.
- Over $1,000 a month: This is a are spending range, with four participants in their 30s, and one each in their 40s and 50s.
💡 The correlation between age groups and their spending habits might reflect that the 30 to 49 age range is likelier to have disposable incomes, while those in their 20s might be willing to take bigger risks.
5. Gender Differences: Women Gamble Rarely, While Men Gamble Weekly
Our survey reveals some intriguing differences between the genders’ gambling habits.
22% of women reported gambling rarely or only once every 2-6 months, compared to just 14% of men.
In contrast, 14% of men play weekly, while 11% of their female counterparts responded the same.
However, the roles reversed again when it comes to daily gambling, with 8% of women engaging in this habit compared to only 5% of men.
💡 This suggests that men have a steadier weekly gambling habit, while women display a wider range in their gambling frequency, with tendencies toward both infrequent and daily play.
6. Word of Mouth: The Key Influence in Online Casino Selection
Our survey found that 44% of participants choose online casinos based on recommendations from family and friends.
A very close 42% said that social media and search engines were how they found gambling sites, while 34% said online advertisements were their main influence.
Far fewer respondents mentioned forums, casino reviews, influencers, or emails as factors that influenced their choices.
💡 These discoveries demonstrate the role that word of mouth and digital platforms play in shaping gambling choices.
Interestingly, the relatively low impact of influencers and niche online communities suggests that the gambling world has yet to fully embrace influencer marketing.
7. Slots Are the Most Popular Online Casino Game Among Participants
When we asked our participants what casino games they enjoyed playing online the most, slots were the number one choice preferred by 67%.
Blackjack was the next most popular game with 47%, while Bingo and Poker interested 29% and 28%, respectively.
Not to be overlooked, Roulette wasn’t far behind with 22%.
These results revealed an array of diverse interests among our demographic.
- 67% of participants favored slots.
- 47% preferred blackjack.
- Bingo was the main draw for 29%.
- 28% mostly play poker.
- Roulette was the primary choice for 22%.
8. 55.67% of Respondents Believe Online Casinos Should Improve Responsible Gambling Initiatives
While most of the gamblers we surveyed felt they were well-educated about responsible gambling, opinions were divided on how online casinos handle the topic.
A slight majority of 55.67% feel that gambling sites should be doingmore to keep players’ habits in check.
On the other hand, 44.33% believe online casinos already do a sufficient job of promoting responsible gambling.
💡 This split highlights the ongoing debate about the culpability of casinos in addressing gambling addiction, especially as online betting continues to grow.
📊Check out more interesting gambling statistics! Explore trends from the US and around the world.
Download The Full Gambling Habits Report
For deeper insights into our collected dataset, download our full report of the Gambling Habits of Online Players Survey.
