Legal Sports Betting Leading To Increased Gambling Addiction Searches In The US

Sports are a great way for people to bond, enjoy socializing as well as do things related to the sports. While it is fun to place bets on who will win and enjoy a socializing game, it transforms into a different thing altogether when you start focusing on the money more than the fun you are having. Many people believe that addiction does not affect health or people around them, but you must understand that no matter what kind of addiction you have, whether it is related to alcohol, gambling, eating etc., there are sever mental health consequences, which also affect your health.

Many people who are gambling addicts keep playing in the hopes that they will win the next big bet they place. The adrenaline rush and the dopamine release they get from doing these activities is what makes them addicted to certain activities. According to the American Gaming Association, with the start of Super Bowl, nearly $1.5 billion are expected in legal bets. It also estimated that at least one in four Americans will be betting on the games. While this can be a small activity for a few, for others it can have a detrimental effect on their mental health, which is influenced by their economic condition, and the strain they feel when they do not win.

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine showed that a surge in people looking for help against gambling addiction since the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed states to legalize sports betting. Researchers found a 23% increase in Google searches related to gambling addiction after the ruling, translating to an estimated 6.5 to 7.3 million searches nationwide. The risk of gambling also increased 30% when it was legalized according to National Council on Problem Gambling. This coincides with a massive expansion of sportsbooks, now operating in 38 states with hundreds of billions of dollars wagered, primarily online.

What Impact Does Sports Betting Have On People?

We see ads on sports betting all the time. It's all over social media, and even sports commentators talk about it during games. Researchers noticed that even big companies are changing their names to include "sportsbook," showing how important this type of betting has become. It used to be something people might have been ashamed of, but now it's totally accepted. This widespread availability and acceptance, especially online where it's so easy to access, has a big impact on how many people are getting involved and potentially developing problems.

Even though gambling addiction is a real problem, it's not something we keep track of very well. The researchers say we need to start monitoring it more closely, just like we do with other health issues. They also think that the people in charge of making laws need to take action. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center Gambling, addiction can significantly affect a person's mental well-being. Below are some of the issues they have identified

Anxiety and Depression

When you're constantly worried about gambling, you can get really anxious and scared. You might feel guilty or just have a bad feeling in your stomach all the time. This can also make you feel really down and sad, like you're depressed.

Increased Stress

If you're always thinking about gambling and worrying about money, you're going to be super stressed out. It's like always being on edge, and that's not good for your mind or body.

Social Isolation

Sometimes, people who are addicted to gambling will start to pull away from their friends and family. They might be embarrassed or ashamed of what they're doing, or they might just want to hide it. Being alone a lot can make mental health problems even worse.

Relationship Concerns

Gambling can cause huge problems in relationships. If you're lying about money or getting into fights because of gambling, your family and friends might not trust you anymore. This can lead to a lot of hurt feelings and make it harder to get the support you need.

Sources

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/news/publications/health-matters/can-sports-betting-be-addictive#:~:text=Increased%20stress%3A%20Constantly%20worrying%20about,they%20feel%20ashamed%20and%20guilty.

https://www.americangaming.org/resources/super-bowl-lix-wagering-estimates/

https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2025-02-17/u-s-gambling-addiction-searches-soar-with-legal-sports-betting

https://www.ncpgambling.org/training/ngage-survey/