According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people ages 65 to 74 spent the most on lottery tickets and pari-mutuels (betting pools), spending an average of $132.43 from the third quarter of 2017 to the second quarter of 2018. This is almost twice as much, or even more, than the amount spent by any of the other age groups. The average lottery and pari-mutuel expenditure for the third quarter 2017 through second quarter 2018 is $69.52.
Below is the average expenditure ranked highest to lowest by age group:
- Age 65-74 ($132.43)
- Age 75 and older ($74.29)
- Age 45-54 ($72.04)
- Age 35-44 ($62.08)
- Age 25-34 ($40.32)
- Under 25 ($7.55)
Households with incomes in the fourth 20 percent spent the most on lottery tickets and pooled betting, spending an average of $94.72 from the third quarter of 2017 through the second quarter of 2018, compared with $69.52 for all households. The next big spenders were households with incomes in the second 20 percent spending an average of $81.98. Below is income group ranked by highest to lowest expenditure:
- Fourth 20 percent ($94.72)
- Second 20 percent ($81.98)
- Highest 20 percent ($73.37)
- Third 20 percent ($64.55)
- Lowest 20 percent ($32.94)
These data come from the Consumer Expenditure Surveys and measure how much consumers spent for lottery tickets and lost on pari-mutuels, not how much money consumers placed on a bet. Households, or consumer units, include families, single persons living alone or sharing a household with others but who are financially independent, or two or more persons living together who share expenses. consumer units, include families, single persons living alone or sharing a household with others but who are financially independent, or two or more persons living together who share expenses.