In 2021 (the most recent year for which data is available), calls to the helpline run by the National Council on Problem Gambling, a gaming industry supported group, rose 43 percent, while texts increased 59 percent and chats jumped 84 percent.
It's a trend the experts believe may rapidly worsen, given what is known about the trajectory of compulsive gambling and the experience of countries that have had legal sports betting in place far longer than the U.S.Ĭalls to gambling helplines reflect the growing problem.
The result: record-breaking revenue for the betting companies, a tax windfall for states and, many experts believe, a sharp and troubling rise in the risk of serious gambling problems and addiction. Some 36 states have passed laws to allow gambling on sports, another eight are considering it and more than half of American adults-146 million people-now live in a live, legal sports-betting market. Since a Supreme Court ruling opened the door in 2018, legal sports betting has exploded in the U.S., fueled by easy access through online apps and expensive, star-studded ad campaigns for online sportsbooks.
