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Gen Z and millennials are driving the fastest growth in sports betting, but a decline may be on the horizon, according to TransUnion's latest U.S. gaming report.

Why it matters: The credit bureau says gambling responsibly is "more important than ever" due to economic uncertainty and growing debt obligations for young bettors.

By the numbers: TransUnion found that betting activity rose to 30% of consumers in Q2 2025, up from 25% in Q2 2024.

Brick-and-mortar casinos remained the top venue in Q2, but online sports betting is a close second with increases in activity from those two generations.

A TransUnion survey found 4% more people in the South said they gambled compared to last year.

Zoom in: Activity on online sportsbooks has risen 7% year-over-year for both Gen Z and millennial bettors.

In-person sportsbook betting is down 1% for Gen Z, but up 11% for millennials, which suggests a stronger appetite for a variety of betting experiences.

Threat level: The report lists the resumption of federal student loan repayment, trade policy uncertainty and comparatively low income as key factors in what could be a reversal of growth.

The total monthly debt payment for millennial and Gen Z consumers is up 20% and 27%, respectively, way above the inflation rate (6%) and wage growth (8%).

The bottom line: In a statement, Declan Raines, head of TransUnion's gaming division, said sportsbooks can't ignore that many bettors are financially vulnerable and that they need solid, responsible gaming tools to help keep them safe.

Young bettors drive gambling business boom

Illustration of a teen boy on his phone collage in front of a graphic football field and upward trend line.

Gen Z and millennials are driving the fastest growth in sports betting, but a decline may be on the horizon, according to TransUnion&#x27;s latest U.S. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="gaming report" data-vars-click-url="https://newsroom.transunion.com/gen-z-millennial-speculators-drove-year-over-year-gambling-growth-in-q2-2025/" data-vars-content-id="01f7a3ef-c543-4fd0-8b1e-0887be66fd47" data-vars-headline="Young bettors drive gambling business boom" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newsroom.transunion.com/gen-z-millennial-speculators-drove-year-over-year-gambling-growth-in-q2-2025/" target="_blank">gaming report</a>.Why it matters: The credit bureau says gambling responsibly is &quot;more important than ever&quot; due to economic uncertainty and growing debt obligations for young bettors.

Business Brief

As Google Trends data suggests, people aren't necessarily rallying around a particular song of the summer this year, as they have in the past. 

The big picture: If last summer boasted an abundance of refrains — "that's that me espresso," "they not like us," "good luck, babe" — this summer is all crickets, trends data suggests. 

Unless you're on TikTok, where a 2024 ad from British budget airline Jet2.com has gone mega-viral.

Driving the news: Spotify editors rounded up a list of songs they say "collectively defined the season across the Northern Hemisphere."

According to Spotify data, summer 2025 was the least danceable and lowest-energy summer for music, based on the tempos, rhythm stability, beat strength, and overall regularity of its top tracks.

Zoom in: The audio streaming service shared with Axios how those songs fared with Miami listeners.

Yes, but: The lack of any Bad Bunny makes us seriously question whether this list accurately reflects Miami's music taste.

Anyways, here's how Spotify's five picks ranked among Miami listeners.

The heartfelt love letter became the most-streamed song of the summer on Spotify.

The indie rock artist currently has two songs in the Global Top 10.

Spotify says this standout song from her 2024 album "Bird's Eye" feels like "a hazy summer evening."

Carpenter followed last summer's hit "Espresso" with this first single of her album "Man's Best Friend," which came out Friday.

💃 "Shake It To The Max (FLY) – Remix" by MOLIY, Silent Addy, Skillibeng & Shenseea

This dancehall anthem charted in Spotify's Top 50 Chart in over 45 countries, including Belgium, France, Ghana, Jamaica, the Netherlands and Singapore, and reached #1 in Trinidad and Tobago.

Miami's songs of the summer, according to Spotify

There isn't a true song of the summer this year it seems.

Illustration of a disco ball in the sky, shining like the sun.

As Google Trends data suggests, people aren&#x27;t necessarily rallying around a particular <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="song of the summer" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/10/tiktok-jet2-song-summer-alex-warren" data-vars-content-id="744ee439-77a8-49d9-8430-03f3fd77ce26" data-vars-headline="Miami&#x27;s songs of the summer, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/08/10/tiktok-jet2-song-summer-alex-warren" target="_self">song of the summer</a> this year, as they have in the past. The big picture: If last summer boasted an <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="abundance of refrains" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/04/brat-charli-xcx-chappell-roan-sabrina-carpenter-tiktok-pop" data-vars-content-id="744ee439-77a8-49d9-8430-03f3fd77ce26" data-vars-headline="Miami&#x27;s songs of the summer, according to Spotify" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2024/08/04/brat-charli-xcx-chappell-roan-sabrina-carpenter-tiktok-pop" target="_self">abundance of refrains</a> — &quot;that&#x27;s that me espresso,&quot; &quot;they not like us,&quot; &quot;good luck, babe&quot; — this summer is all crickets, trends data suggests.

Music

As if Miami needed more drama, Netflix just dropped a new docusoap set in the 305: "W.A.G.s to Riches."

State of play: The show follows a cast of Florida-based socialites and business women who are in relationships — or used to be — with famous musicians and athletes.

FYI: WAGs means "wives and girlfriends" of a celeb.

Notable names: South Florida rappers Rick Ross and Kodak Black, Dolphins star Tyreek Hill and ex-NFL great Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson are among the cast members' past and present romantic partners.

Sharelle Rosado, a Tampa real estate broker and Ochocinco's ex-fiancé, also starred in the Netflix series "Selling Tampa."

Max's thought bubble: With over a million followers on Instagram and X, one could argue Julz Goddard is the show's most famous cast member, but you wouldn't be able to tell based on her screen time.

Meet the full cast … Check out more new shows

Netflix soap "W.A.G.s to Riches" features Miami-based celeb relationships

South Florida rappers Rick Ross and Kodak Black are featured.

Illustration of a remote control with an Axios button.

As if Miami needed more drama, Netflix just dropped a new docusoap set in the 305: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="&quot;W.A.G.s to Riches.&quot;" data-vars-click-url="https://www.netflix.com/title/81704369" data-vars-content-id="a0132152-7c88-4bd3-97aa-e933de306a43" data-vars-headline="Netflix soap &quot;W.A.G.s to Riches&quot; features Miami-based celeb relationships" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.netflix.com/title/81704369" target="_blank">&quot;W.A.G.s to Riches.&quot;</a>State of play: The show follows a cast of Florida-based socialites and business women who are in relationships — or used to be — with famous musicians and athletes.

News

Fast-food chains are poised to be among the biggest beneficiaries when the FIFA World Cup rolls into Miami next summer.

Why it matters: The influx of international fans, late-night schedules and packed stadiums will shift demand toward quick, cheap meals.

By the numbers: Fast food restaurant visits were up 20.5% year over year when FIFA Club World Cup was in town this past summer, according to Fiserv. 

Sales were up 9.1% and the average transaction was $13, down 9.5% compared to the same period (June 15 through July 15) in 2024. 

Meanwhile, full-service establishments (54% of restaurant sales in Miami) saw sales and foot traffic drop 1.4% and 1.3%, respectively. 

Fast food visits lifted foot traffic 13.5% to restaurants in general, offsetting customers' shift to cheaper menu items.

What they're saying: Fiserv says this trend isn't unique to sports fans and nationally, consumers are looking for cheaper options as food prices rise.

World Cup is a win for Miami's fast food

Fast food restaurant visits were up 20.5% year over year when FIFA Club World Cup was last in town.

Illustration of a soccer ball on a soccer pitch with a dollar sign line

Fast-food chains are poised to be among the biggest beneficiaries when the FIFA World Cup rolls into Miami next summer.Why it matters: The influx of international fans, late-night schedules and packed stadiums will shift demand toward quick, cheap meals.

Sports

University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward is one of four finalists for the Heisman trophy — the award for college football's most outstanding player.

The intrigue: Florida sports fans who aren't loyal to the U may be rooting for the homegrown players also up for the award. (Ward, who is originally from Texas, has the lowest odds to win.)

The betting favorite to win is Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter, who was raised in Boynton Beach, the Palm Beach Post reported. 

Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, a Jacksonville native, has the second-best odds, per Sports Illustrated.

Catch up quick: Ward led the nation in passing touchdowns and is the first Hurricane since 2002 to be named a Heisman finalist. 

By the numbers: Nearly 40% of Heisman trophies have gone to athletes from California, Ohio and Texas.

California tops the list with 15, then Ohio (10) and Texas (nine).

What's next: The Heisman Trophy ceremony will air 8pm Saturday on ESPN.

UM quarterback and two Florida men up for Heisman

Ward is the first Hurricane since 2002 to be named a Heisman finalist.

UM quarterback holding one finger in the air. 

Cam Ward is a Heisman trophy finalist. Photo: Ric Tapia/Getty Images

University of Miami quarterback <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Cam Ward" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/11/13/university-of-miami-canes-playoff-chances" data-vars-content-id="fd13a0e0-80ce-4329-94a4-a460da5cfb02" data-vars-headline="UM quarterback and two Florida men up for Heisman" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2024/11/13/university-of-miami-canes-playoff-chances" target="_self">Cam Ward</a> is one of four finalists for the Heisman trophy — the award for college football&#x27;s most outstanding player.The intrigue: Florida sports fans who aren&#x27;t loyal to the U may be rooting for the homegrown players also up for the award. (Ward, who is originally from Texas, has the lowest odds to win.)

Maxwell Millington

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