Urban Institute Report Finds Online Sports Bettors Face Greater Financial Hardship
2026-07-14
An Urban Institute study of 320 sports bettors finds that online gamblers are 15 times more likely to miss a bill payment and twice as likely to save less money than in-person-only bettors, with the financial strain concentrated among low-income and young adults.
A new study from the Urban Institute has drawn a sharp distinction between the financial health of online sports bettors and those who wager only in person, revealing that the former group is significantly more likely to miss bill payments and save less money. The analysis, based on a sample of 320 sports bettors who placed wagers online, in person, or through both channels, highlights the heightened financial risks associated with digital gambling.
Key Financial Disparities
Online sports bettors were 15 times more likely to report missing a bill payment than those who wagered exclusively in person. They were also twice as likely to say they had saved less money over the previous 12 months. According to the report, around 12% of all respondents self-reported that they saved less money than they would have without gambling, with the burden falling disproportionately on low-income individuals earning under $50,000 and bettors aged 18 to 29.
Gambling Frequency and Risk-Taking Behavior
The study also documented a marked difference in gambling frequency between the two groups. Among online bettors, 7% said they gambled daily, whereas none of the in-person-only bettors reported daily wagering. Across the full sample, 28% of respondents said they bet weekly and 23% said they bet monthly. Researchers found that individuals who gambled more frequently were more likely to have placed riskier wagers during the past year.
Spending Patterns and Motivation
Despite these findings, the majority of respondents reported relatively modest spending. 55% of all bettors said they had wagered less than $100 in the past 12 months, while 11% said they had spent $1,000 or more during the same period. The report also noted a worrisome trend in motivation: 67% of sports bettors said they gamble to win money, even though the activity is not linked to skill but pure chance. The average loss for gamblers was estimated at 7.5 cents for every dollar wagered.