US Betting Report: More media and regulatory scrutiny on the horizon

While explosive growth continues in US gaming — welcome news for operators’ bottom lines — the boom attracts increased scrutiny, and the potential for increased responsible gaming requirements.

As part of our Q3 2024 US Betting Report, we delved into consumer spending across betting products to help identify when operators and regulators should be concerned by what could be perceived as unsustainable levels of spending.

While bettors reported gains in income, they were also the most likely to be unable to pay a financial obligation. The survey found that: 

• 50% of online and land-based bettors said household income increased in the last three months
• More than 40% of online bettors who spend $500+ per month from gambling said they wouldn’t be able to meet all their financial obligations in full
• Nearly 55% said they’d been contacted by a collections agent within the past year

The adoption and commercial performance of regulated betting and its impact on state tax revenues is a success, but operators should prepare for stricter responsible gaming requirements to proactively identify potentially risky player behaviors.