Survey shows 26% of U.S. Gen Z investors use sports betting as a deliberate wealth strategy, outpacing older generations.
A survey of 1,000 U.S. retail investors found 26% of Gen Z participants treat sports betting as a core part of their wealth-building plans. This compares to 14% of millennials, 6% of Gen X, and 1% of baby boomers who view it similarly.
The trend reflects broader financial pressures, including housing unaffordability and rising living costs, pushing younger investors toward high-risk, speculative trades. A separate March study noted increased reliance on prediction markets and cryptocurrencies for quick financial gains.
Betterment CEO Sarah Levy warned that framing sports betting as a retirement strategy risks long-term financial instability, as these products prioritize short-term gains over sustained growth.