One in four American adults can place a sports bet from a phone at any given moment. That number climbed from 19% in 2024 to 27% in 2026, with growth holding steady nationwide.
A February 2026 survey from Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School polled 3,084 U.S. residents. The findings show that legal sports betting has evolved from a novelty into a weekly habit. More Americans are placing bets, watching games more intently, and advocating for federal regulations to ensure industry accountability.
Sportsbook Accounts Top 50% Among Young Adult Bettors
Men aged 18 to 49 lead sports betting participation, with 52% reporting an active sportsbook account. State-by-state legalization has expanded access over the past two years, pushing adoption higher and drawing new users into the market.
Among active bettors surveyed, 92% describe the experience as fun, and 89% say having money on a game makes watching it more engaging. Parlays and promotional offers provide consistent emotional pull, drawing users back each week. About 85% of bettors also say they research player and team statistics before wagering, treating each bet as an informed decision.
Fun, Big Parlay Dreams and Stats Deep-Dives Keep Bettors Coming Back
In the Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University’s Jandoli School survey, 92% of people who bet say wagering is fun, and 89% report that having money on a game makes them more interested in watching it live. Parlays and special offers have an intoxicating and emotional pull on the bettors that keeps them coming back for more, fueling online gambling growth.
At the same time, some bettors are evolving with the times. About 85% of surveyed bettors say they enjoy researching player and team statistics before placing bets. This helps them make informed decisions, thus improving their odds of success.
Americans Grow More Comfortable With the Idea of Federal Oversight for Bettors
Broad enthusiasm for betting has arrived alongside strong support for consumer protections. About 67% of all survey respondents back federal rules aimed at protecting bettors from gambling risks.
The SAFE Bet Act, introduced in Congress as H.R. 2087 for the 2025-2026 session, proposes nationwide minimum standards for sports betting advertising and operations. The bill remains pending, with lawmakers debating its consumer protection benefits against potential constitutional challenges. Public backing is broad. The act holds a 64-14% approval margin across all demographic groups surveyed, a rare point of consensus in a divided political climate.
Prediction Markets Quietly Build a Following Among Sports Die-Hards
A growing segment of bettors is also exploring prediction markets. Platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket allow users to wager on outcomes in politics, entertainment, and sports. About 15% of Americans report having used one.
Among men aged 18 to 49, 73% support applying state sportsbook regulations to these platforms, a signal that users want consistent rules across all forms of wagering.
What Comes Next
Americans have folded legal sports betting into everyday life. Federal lawmakers now hold a clear public mandate from a broad, engaged electorate. How they respond will define the next chapter of an industry that has already found its way into millions of living rooms.
