More than half of American sports bettors have used wagering at least once to cover everyday expenses, according to a survey published by U.S. News & World Report.
The study, conducted from August 31 to September 3, 2026, surveyed 1,200 people who placed sports bets within the past year. It revealed that 51% of respondents wagered money to pay regular bills, while 21% placed bets to cover rent or mortgage payments. In terms of activity levels, 57% of participants stated that they bet at least once a week, and 17% reported placing bets on a daily basis.
Debt associated with betting was reported by 19% of respondents, down from 30% recorded in the previous year. However, the figure rose significantly among daily bettors, reaching 40%. In addition, 45% of surveyed bettors admitted to borrowing money to fund their wagers, with 13% taking out personal loans and 11% using high-interest payday loans.
The findings also pointed to significant engagement with prediction markets, in which 41% of respondents reported participating. Alongside these survey figures, data from Bank of America indicated that online betting volume across the United States grew by 40% between January and July 2026.
Note: This article is based on publicly available sources and reflects information available at the time of publication. Details may change; check the original or official source for updates.
