Florida gamblers have reported some of the highest single-session losses of any state, with the average ‘worst day’ loss reaching a staggering $4,436 per person.
Online poker affiliate platform VIP Grinders, surveyed 2,000 US adults to uncover gambling habits across the country, revealing where losses are highest and where gamblers are most likely to hide the true extent of their spending from loved ones.
The numbers show 38% of gamblers – more than a third – in Florida admitting they have lied about their losses to someone close, including a partner, family member or close friend.
The findings are especially concerning as gambling addiction helpline calls in Florida increased by 138% between 2023 and 2025.
Nationwide, the average US gambler reports a worst-ever single-session loss of $4,632. But beyond the financial impact, these losses are often kept under wraps from those closest to them, with 40% admitting they have lied to loved ones about their losses.
When extrapolated across the US gambling population, this suggests around 31 million Americans who gamble have kept gambling losses a secret, uncovering the scale of financial secrecy around gambling.
Joao Mourato, Head of Product at VIP Grinders, says: part of the issue is that social media and influencer culture have spent years framing gambling as a way to make money, showing the wins while hiding the losses and it creates unrealistic expectations about what gambling typically looks like.
“In reality, most people will lose as part of the experience, but when that happens, people are more likely to feel embarrassed than to see it as a normal part of the entertainment,” said Mourato.
