80%
75%
USA
Canada
Australia
UK
78% More Than One in Four Americans Now Have Online Sports Betting Accounts
Key Highlights
- A new national survey shows 27% of Americans currently have active online sports betting accounts, up from 22% last year and 19% in 2024.
- The steady growth suggests sports betting continues gaining mainstream acceptance even as betting volume growth slows in some established markets.
- Researchers from Siena Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University conducted the survey, tracking adoption trends across the United States.
Online sports betting is reaching more American households than ever before. A new survey from Siena Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University found that 27% of Americans have active online sports betting accounts, representing increases of 19% and 22% from 2025 and 2024.
More than half of US adults ages 18-49, the target demographic for sports betting, have active accounts with online sportsbooks.
Sports Betting Revenue Declines Despite Account Increase
The growth in active accounts comes despite some warning signs in individual state markets. Several states that legalized sports betting early have reported slower growth in handle (the total amount of money wagered). US commercial gaming revenue increased 3.4% year-over-year in January 2026, totaling $6.74 billion. However, sports betting revenue declined 0.1% ($1.61 billion).
Some industry observers worry this might signal waning interest. However, the slowdown in handle growth may reflect market maturation rather than falling demand; as more people create accounts, the average bet size might decrease.
The data also helps explain aggressive expansion strategies from major operators. With 73% of Americans still without active betting accounts, there is significant growth potential for operators like FanDuel and BetMGM.
More than 3,000 respondents participated in the survey, conducted from February 16-27.
Rising Concerns Over the Social Impact of Legal Sports Betting
As more Americans open betting accounts, regulators and responsible gaming advocates are paying closer attention. Several states, including Ohio, have proposed bills focused on betting markets and advertising restrictions.
In the survey, 53% of respondents said they were against sports betting ads on TV, while 56% contend that online sports betting “will corrupt organized sports.” The sports betting industry argues that advertising helps inform consumers about legal, regulated options. Critics worry it normalizes gambling for vulnerable populations.
The survey adds merit to this critique of legal sports betting. About 60% of bettors said they “chased” a bet or wagered more than they intended to get money back from a previous bet, up from 52% in 2025. In addition, 31 percent claimed that someone had expressed concerns over their perceived problem gambling habits, up from 23% in 2025.
Most sports betting platforms now offer responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, time-out periods, and self-exclusion options. These help bettors control their spending and take breaks when needed. However, research suggests many users don’t activate these features until problems develop.
As the survey shows, millions more Americans now have access to sports betting. Ensuring they can bet safely and responsibly remains a critical challenge for the industry and regulators alike.
