Contents
The growth of the sports betting industry
Who bets on sports? A typology
What are the financial and social effects?
Policy approaches to reducing financial and social harm
Key policy issues to watch in 2026
Introduction
Over the last eight years, legal sports betting has transformed from a niche activity in Nevada to a mass-market consumer product delivered through smartphones.
Recent U.S. studies find that legalization is associated with reduced savings and increased indicators of financial distress, with larger effects among young men and financially vulnerable households. Public attitudes are shifting, too: in 2025, 43% of U.S. adults said legal sports betting is a…