For some Americans, playing the lottery is a regular habit. For others, it’s more of an occasional indulgence—or not part of their routine at all. According to CivicScience data collected over the last five years from more than 100K respondents, 20% of U.S. adults say they play the lottery at least somewhat often, while 47% say they play occasionally and 34% say they never play (excluding those who say “does not apply”).

Gen Z adults are the most likely to say they play the lottery, while Baby Boomers are the least likely. Men are slightly more likely than women to participate, as are those in middle-income households. Geographically, city residents and those living in the South are the most likely to play, followed closely by those in the Northeast and Midwest, while those in the West are the least likely to play often.

But demographics aren’t the only thing separating lottery players from non-players. CivicScience data reveal several differences in habits and behaviors:

• Sleep habits: Among those who play the lottery often, 25% say they sleep on their back, compared to 17% of non-players. Meanwhile, non-players are twice as likely to say they sleep on their stomach.
• International news: Lottery players are more globally tuned in, with 26% saying they follow international news very closely, compared to 14% of non-players.
• News sources: Those who play the lottery are more likely to say they turn to social media and TV for news first thing in the morning, while non-players are more likely to say online publications.
• Sports moments: More than a quarter (27%) of lottery players say they’ve caught a baseball at a game, compared to just 8% of those who say they’ve never played the lottery.
• Gaming habits: Lottery players are slightly less likely than non-players to say they play board games monthly, but they are more likely to play mobile games frequently.

While playing the lottery may be about chance, the data suggest that those who participate—especially more regularly—share distinct habits, from how they consume news to how they spend their downtime. For many, it’s just one piece of a broader mix of entertainment and everyday routines.