Online sports betting is expanding, with 27% of Americans now reporting an active sportsbook account, according to Siena Research Institute.
That figure is up from 22% in 2025 and 19% in 2024, extending a steady multi-year climb, according to the Siena poll. One-third of respondents said they have opened an online sports betting account at least once, while 22% identified as active bettors.
Growth remains concentrated among young men, as 51% of men ages 18-49 said they have at least one account, with 46% of that group saying they actively bet.
The American Sport Fanship Survey was conducted online in February with 3,084 respondents.
Behavioral risk signals on the rise
While participation is increasing, several behavioral indicators moved in a more concerning direction.
Among bettors, 60% said they have chased losses, up from 52% last year. The share reporting at least $100 wagered in a single day rose to 63%, compared to 56% in 2025. Meanwhile, 31% said someone has expressed concern about their betting, up from 23%.
Forty-two percent of bettors said they have wagered more than they should, while 43% reported feeling bad or ashamed after losses. Fifteen percent said they have sought help for gambling issues, up from 9% in past surveys.
Public opinion shifts on online sports betting
At the same time, public sentiment around online sports betting appears to be tightening.
A majority of respondents, 53%, said sportsbooks should not be allowed to advertise during live sporting events. Another 56% said online sports betting will corrupt organized sports. Both figures mark increases from prior years, when neither view held majority support.
Concern extends beyond advertising. Nearly three quarters of respondents (74%) said allowing 18-year olds to bet online is a serious issue, while 85% said alleged insider betting schemes involving athletes or coaches are also serious concerns.
Support for prediction market regulation grows
The survey also shows growing support for stronger oversight of online sports betting.
Over two-thirds of respondents said the federal government should more aggressively regulate the industry to protect consumers, up from 58% in 2025. Meanwhile, the SAFE Bet Act drew support from 64% of respondents, compared to 14% opposed.
Emerging event-based platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are drawing similar scrutiny. Fifteen percent of Americans said they have used prediction markets to bet on sports, and 65% said those platforms should be subject to the same state-level regulations as traditional sportsbooks.
Meanwhile, overall support for legalization remains steady. Half of respondents said online sports betting should be legal nationwide, compared to 33% opposed, a margin largely unchanged in recent years.
