Decline in American Adult Reading Compared to Gambling Rise

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 9, 2026

Less than half of American adults read a book in the past year, with daily reading rates dropping to 16% in 2023, while participation in sports gambling has risen sharply to 57% by 2025. This shift highlights a broad change in leisure activities, indicating a move away from traditional reading toward increased engagement with gambling across all demographic groups.

Less than half of American adults read a book in the past year, as participation in sports gambling continues to rise, according to recent data from the American Time Use Survey conducted by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The survey highlights a significant decline in reading for pleasure over the past two decades, while gambling activity has become more widespread.

In 2023, only 16% of Americans reported spending time reading on any given day, down from 28% in 2004. This figure encompasses a variety of reading formats, including printed books, e-books, magazines, newspapers, and audiobooks. The reduction in daily reading was consistent across demographic groups, affecting all ages, genders, and educational backgrounds. Groups traditionally seen as more inclined to read, such as retirees, women, and college-educated individuals, also demonstrated notable decreases in reading engagement.

In contrast, the survey reveals that participation in gambling has expanded sharply. By 2025, 57% of Americans had placed a bet either online or in person, surpassing the proportion of those engaging in reading activities. This represents a significant cultural shift in leisure preferences, underscoring a growing interest in wagering over traditional literary pursuits.

Changes in reading habits and popular titles were also noted. The survey referenced shifts in bestselling novels, with the 1958 top seller being Boris Pasternak’s “Doctor Zhivago” in English translation, compared to 2025, when “Sunrise on the Reaping,” part of the “Hunger Games” series, claimed the top spot. This points to evolving tastes in literature alongside the broader decline in reading frequency.

The findings raise questions about the factors driving these trends, including the rise of digital technologies, entertainment alternatives, and shifts in societal norms around leisure time. The decline in reading among all groups contrasts with the growing normalization of gambling, reflecting broader changes in American recreational behavior over the past two decades.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.