There’s a massive spike.
Following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized sports betting, millions of Americans have sought help for gambling addiction, according to a study published on February 17 in JAMA Internal Medicine. The research found that the legalization of sports betting, which expanded from one state to 38, has been accompanied by a significant rise in both sports wagers and the demand for addiction help. Senior author John Ayers, deputy director of informatics at the University of California San Diego, noted that online sports betting has driven a surge in gambling activity, with wagers increasing from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023.
The study also highlighted how sports betting has become a pervasive part of American culture, with advertising and online platforms making it more accessible than ever. Co-author Matthew Allen, a medical student, explained that what was once considered a fringe activity is now widely accepted and embedded in daily life. The shift includes major changes in the industry, such as the rebranding of Caesars Entertainment to Caesars Sportsbook and Casino, indicating that sports betting is being marketed as the future of gambling.
Researchers analyzed Google search data between 2016 and 2024, focusing on queries related to gambling addiction and help resources. They found a 23% increase in such searches after the 2018 ruling, which translated to an estimated 6.5 to 7.3 million nationwide searches for help. States that legalized sports betting, including Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Ohio, saw significant increases in searches, suggesting a strong link between the availability of sports betting and higher demand for addiction support.
The study also noted that online sports betting appears to pose a greater risk than in-person betting, with online platforms showing a much larger and more persistent increase in addiction-related searches. In Pennsylvania, for example, the launch of retail sportsbooks led to a 33% increase in searches for help, while the availability of online betting caused a 61% jump. Researchers called for stronger regulations to address the growing risks of gambling addiction, including using tax revenues from sportsbooks to fund addiction services, stricter advertising rules, and better clinical training for healthcare providers.
Finally, the study’s authors urged lawmakers to act swiftly to implement regulations. Lead author Ayers emphasized the need for legislative intervention, pointing out that, like the tobacco and opioid industries, gambling could cause significant harm if left unchecked. He warned that without proactive regulation, the negative consequences of expanded sports betting could escalate, leading to long-term public health issues.
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