Is the Increased Legalization of Betting Bringing a Wave of Addiction in the US?

Updated: 10 April 2024

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The surge in sports betting across the United States has been remarkable, with over half the states now offering this popular pastime. This expansion, ongoing for less than a decade, has not only allowed sports enthusiasts and bettors to engage in legal wagering but has also reduced reliance on illegal, offshore operators. Additionally, it has contributed to state tax revenues, particularly in regions where betting is sanctioned.

Licensed betting operators in these states adhere to strict regulatory standards, which include measures to protect players from excessive gambling. A portion of the tax revenue generated from legal betting is allocated to address and treat gambling-related harm and addiction.

Gambling Addiction On The Rise

However, this widespread availability of betting options has had unintended consequences. Recent reports indicate a significant increase in gambling addiction, with a notable rise in calls to problem gambling hotlines. In Florida, for example, the Council on Problem Gambling reported a surge in contacts through calls, texts, and emails following the introduction of sports betting in December.

This trend is not isolated to Florida. NBC News highlighted that several states have witnessed a rise in problem gambling calls. The expansion of betting is particularly concerning as it attracts younger demographics, with an increasing number of individuals in their 20s and 30s seeking help for gambling issues.

In Ohio, the Problem Gambling Network experienced a 55% increase in calls in 2023, coinciding with the first full year of legal betting. Pennsylvania saw a similar trend, with the volume of calls to the state’s Council on Problem Gambling more than doubling between 2020 and 2023.

Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), pointed out that the growth of online sports betting is a major factor in the rise of gambling problems. Since the 2018 US Supreme Court decision that struck down PASPA, enabling the expansion of betting, there has been a marked increase in the severity and rate of problem gambling. Whyte emphasized the need for sports betting apps to provide more accessible self-exclusion options, as well as time and spending limits, and easy access to the national helpline for problem gambling.

Is the Increased Legalization of Betting Bringing a Wave of Addiction in the US?

Gambling Addiction On The Rise

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