Bets over butterflies: The surprising ways gambling is replacing intimacy

Key insights:

• Nearly 45% say betting gives them more of a rush than a bedroom moment, while 40% say it brings the most consistent satisfaction.
• 1 in 3 have placed a bet to cover bills or fund something fun, from summer trips to shopping sprees.
• Nearly 1 in 5 have placed bets in bed – yes, with someone else in it.
• And when asked what they’d give up for a month – betting or physical closeness – 1 in 4 said they`d keep the bet.

The new dopamine dealer: Gambling over intimacy?

Adrenaline doesn’t just come from romance anymore. According to the data, 44% say it gets their heart racing more than a first kiss, a wild night out, or even a bedroom moment. It’s a rush that cuts through routine and lingers in memory.

From bills to bikinis: The real reasons people bet

The top reasons people bet? Fun leads the way, with nearly 4 in 10 saying that’s their main reason for betting. A close second? The potential to make money, cited by 38%. Another third describe the adrenaline rush as the key draw, not the outcome, but the feeling.

The motivations are just as diverse as the experiences. While 30% say they bet just for fun, 27% admit to doing it to help cover expenses. One in eight say they’ve gambled to afford summer travel, and others name specific goals — shopping, concerts, even big events like weddings. For some, betting isn’t just leisure. It’s a spark with a purpose.

High-stakes habits: Where people are betting says it all

Gambling habits now travel everywhere. Nearly a third of people have placed a bet while in the bathroom. A surprising 18% say they’ve done it while in bed, with someone else beside them. And it doesn’t stop there: others report betting during dates, at parties, even during work or class. It’s fast, discreet, and often happens mid-moment.

Would you rather... get lucky or fall in love?

More than half of respondents (57% ) said they’d rather win $500 on a random bet than hear “I love you” from their crush. Just 15% chose the romantic route. Fewer still picked intimate moment, social fame, or deep connection. When given the choice, the win wins.

For 1 in 4, the answer was intimacy. They’d give up physical closeness for a month before giving up the ability to place a bet. That’s not just a playful response – it reflects how deeply ingrained the experience has become in everyday life.

Conclusion: A new kind of thrill

It’s not just theory. Two in five say gambling has made them feel more “alive” than physical connection. Those numbers reveal how seriously people weigh the thrill of a wager.

Betting ranks high across the board. A third of respondents say it’s more exciting than getting social likes, partying, or casual intimacy. And 39% say none of those experiences come close to the thrill of gambling. That consistency tells its own story.

And when it comes to dreams? Most don’t even need a reason. But for those who do, summer travel is at the top of the list — one in four say they’re betting to fund flights or hotels. Others aim for concerts, hot dates, or fashion upgrades. It’s a mix of spontaneity and aspiration.

Methodology: To create this study, researchers from Casinos Analyzer surveyed 1,500 adults aged 21 and over.