Study reveals: How many Americans gamble with their lives?

Life’s a gamble, but how often do we really roll the dice? Deadspin investigated how often Americans push their limits in daily life by surveying 2,500 people nationwide to find out: How many Americans actually gamble with their lives?

Key findings:

• 79% of Americans admit to eating expired food, with 16% doing so at least once a month.
• 9 out of 10 regularly put off doctor or dentist visits, even when they know they shouldn’t.
• A striking 70% use their phone while in traffic, with 19% doing it at least once a month.
• People in West Virginia take the most risks, leading the nation in life-gambling behavior, while Oregon plays it safest.

If you think gambling happens just in Vegas, think again. Here’s the latest betting news: our study reveals that many Americans are more than willing to test their luck in everyday life.

79% consume expired food

A significant 79% of Americans admit to occasionally eating expired food. Of those, 40% only do it if it still smells fine, while 16% take the risk at least once a month. Let’s just hope it doesn’t lead to health issues, just like how some people enjoy the excitement of sportsbook bonuses, taking a calculated risk. In fact, 9 out of 10 Americans regularly delay seeking medical or dental care, even when they know they should.

Americans gamble with their safety on the road

Traffic is yet another area where people push their luck. A striking 70% of Americans admit to using their phones while on the road, whether driving, cycling or walking – maybe even checking sportsbook apps for the latest odds. Meanwhile, 1 in 5 drivers exceed the speed limit by 10 mph or more at least once a month. Running red lights is common: 55% admit to doing it, with 16% say they do so multiple times a year. Americans, however, tend to be more cautious when it comes to dark alleys. In fact, 52% say they never take shortcuts through one. Another 30% will only do so in an emergency, while 13% take the risk a few times a year, and 5% do it at least once a month.

Risking it for the perfect shot

However, that caution seems to fade when the perfect photo opportunity appears, much like the excitement some feel when participating in social betting. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans (24%) admit to stepping into risky spots, like high bridges, mountains or rooftops, without taking any safety precautions. That lack of caution also applies to getting into a stranger’s car. Whether hitchhiking or using a rideshare app, 20% admit they don’t bother verifying the driver’s identity.

To find out which states take the biggest risks in daily life, we created a risk index. The results? West Virginia comes out on top, with residents most likely to engage in life-risking behaviors. Close behind are Utah and Iowa, ranking second and third. At the other end of the spectrum, Oregon ranks as the safest state, with the fewest everyday risks.

Here’s how the states compare in specific risk-taking behaviors:

• Most people running red lights: Montana
• Most people taking shortcuts through dark alleys: West Virginia
• Most people getting into a stranger’s car: Connecticut
• Most people exceeding the speed limit: West Virginia
• Most people eating expired food: Montana
• Most people postponing doctor or dentist visits: Utah
• Most people using their phone in traffic: North Dakota, Rhode Island
• Most people taking risks for the perfect photo: Iowa

Methodology

This study analyzes risk-taking behavior across U.S. states, based on a survey of 2,500 respondents conducted by Deadspin in February 2025. The sample included 59% female, 40% male and 1% non-binary participants, with an average age of 40.8 years. The following states were excluded due to insufficient data: Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Vermont and Wyoming.

Participants answered questions about various high-risk behaviors, including running red lights, speeding and postponing medical check-ups. Responses ranged from “never” to “regularly” and were assigned a score from 1 to 5. To standardize the data, these scores were rescaled to a 1-to-100 scale.

An individual risk score was calculated for each respondent. A weighted average was then determined for each state, resulting in the final risk index—where higher scores reflect greater risk-taking behavior.