It turns out swiping right might have some competition, and it’s not another dating app. A new survey shows that nearly half of adults say placing a bet gives them more of a rush than a romantic moment. Casinos Analyzer found that for many, gambling is actually eclipsing intimacy altogether.

In the survey of 1,500 US adults aged 21 and over, 44% admitted that gambling “gets their heart racing” more than a first kiss, a wild night out, or even intimacy in the bedroom. And for almost 40% of people, betting brings “the most consistent satisfaction” in their lives.

When asked what they’d be willing to give up for their favorite thrill, one in four said they’d rather skip physical closeness for a whole month than lose their ability to place a bet. A whopping 57% admitted they’d take a $500 win over hearing “I love you” from a romantic partner.

Gambling trumps intimacy according to study

Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist, said: “Staking money taps into the same brain circuits as attraction and desire, but it’s often more consistent. What makes high-stakes games so potent is the unpredictability of the outcome paired with the promise of reward. That combo lights up the brain much like flirting or bedroom moment, but it’s faster, solo, and r...