Studies show that the number of players has increased.

A recent study by the Institute for Research and Habits at the State University of New York showed that more people are gambling. According to The Journal of Gambling Studies, 82% of American adults say they gambled in the past year. Researchers cited studies showing that in 1975, 61% of Americans gambled, and in 1998, 63%. Gambling, in the research, was defined as betting, friendly card games, dog racing, and casinos. In a recent nationwide survey, 2.630 Americans were interviewed by telephone between 1999 and 2000. They were asked about how often they gambled and how much they won or lost. The results showed that the most common form of gambling is state lotteries, but casinos account for the majority of the money. Although those who play the lottery, 66%, exceed those who go to casinos (27%), the average total wagered is much higher in casinos. People who bet on horse and dog races are described as "the biggest gamblers," betting an average of $2.000 per year.
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