As investing and online betting platforms are easier than ever to access, many Americans are increasingly willing to take financial risks. Credible’s new nationwide survey finds that more than 3 in 4 Americans participate in at least one risky financial activity, including retail trading, investing in cryptocurrency, and online betting.
77% of Americans engage in risky financial activities
More than 3 in 4 (77%) Americans participate in risky financial activities, with cryptocurrency (40%), online betting (37%), and online casino gambling (27%) topping the list. Further, 17% participate in options trading and 8% participate in prediction markets.
Men (90%) are much more likely to participate in these activities than women (65%). Americans spent a median of $250 on online betting in the last year.
When it comes to investing, 60% of Americans buy or sell stocks on their own and have invested a median of $3,000 in the last year. While buying and selling stocks is not inherently risky, certain types of activities perceived as “investing” can be — like day trading.
What do Americans believe has the most risk? Online betting or gambling (85%) was number one, followed by day trading (9%).
“The rise of online trading apps has enabled more people to engage in risky behaviors, such as day trading and trading derivatives like options, which can result in large, often immediate, gains — and losses,” says Credible Senior Loans Editor Meredith Mangan. “It has also reframed what ‘investing’ really means, blurring the line between long-term wealth building and short-term speculation. This can be especially problematic if you’re diverting money to trading that could go to an emergency fund or paying down debt — or if you’re taking on more debt to invest.”
13% of Americans plan to borrow to invest or bet in 2026
While only 5% of Americans have borrowed money to invest or place bets online, that number is expected to more than double in 2026. More than 1 in 7 (13%) of Americans plan to borrow money in 2026 to invest or bet. The majority (12%) plan to use this money for investments, with men (13%) slightly more likely to borrow than women (11%).
Gen Z is expected to do this most at 19%, followed by millennials (14%), Gen X (10%), and baby boomers (8%).
“It is never OK to borrow money to bet or to invest in the stock market. High-risk can mean high-reward, but it also means that losses — sometimes big ones — are inevitable," says Mangan. “Professional gamblers and traders understand this. They know that discipline is key to success and protecting capital is the foundation of staying in the game long term. If you don’t have money on hand, look at why and make changes there first. If you decide to engage in risky activities, only spend money you’re sure you can afford to lose.”
Methodology
In January 2026, Credible commissioned Digital Third Coast and Prolific to conduct a survey of 1,001 people from across the U.S. about investing and online betting. Among respondents, 49% identified as male, 49% as female, and 2% as non-binary. The respondents represented 48 states and the District of Columbia, and their median age was 43.
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Fair use
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