The Surge of Sports Betting and the Alarming Rise of Gambling Addiction

The landscape of American sports betting has undergone a seismic shift over the past few years. Following the landmark Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. NCAA in 2018, a historic opportunity was created for states to legalize and regulate sports betting. This change has paved the way for what was once a marginal activity to explode into a billion-dollar industry, but it has also resulted in a troubling rise in gambling addiction, prompting many individuals to seek help.

Unprecedented Growth and Cultural Shift

Before 2018, sports betting was largely limited to a few states, with Nevada at the forefront. Fast forward to today, 38 states have established legalized sportsbooks, fundamentally altering the gambling landscape. The total amount wagered on sports has skyrocketed from $4.9 billion in 2017 to an astounding $121.1 billion in 2023, showing a remarkable shift in consumer behavior. Notably, online platforms have taken center stage, accounting for 94% of all sports bets placed in 2023.

Matthew Allen, a third-year medical student, captures this phenomenon succinctly: “Sports betting has become deeply embedded in our culture. From relentless advertising to social media feeds and in-game commentary, sportsbooks are now everywhere. What was once a taboo activity has been completely normalized.” This broad cultural acceptance is sustained by significant investment from major gambling corporations, with extensive advertising campaigns that promote online betting through various media channels.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in 2018, searches for gambling addiction-related help, such as “am I addicted to gambling,” have increased by 23% nationwide. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)

While the industry thrives, public health experts are sounding alarm bells regarding gambling addiction, which is becoming an underrecognized epidemic.

The Silent Epidemic: Gambling Addiction on the Rise

Gambling addiction, classified in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, is often overlooked in both healthcare and public policy discussions. The lack of formal tracking complicates the understanding of the problem’s full scope. As Kevin Yang, M.D., a resident physician in psychiatry, explains, “Without systematic surveillance, we are flying blind while millions bet on sports.”

To address this gap, researchers utilized aggregate Google search data from 2016 to 2024, analyzing queries related to gambling addiction. The findings were stark: Since 2018, searches for information and help related to gambling addiction have increased by 23%, translating to approximately 6.5 to 7.3 million searches. In some instances, peak months saw up to 180,000 searches specifically related to gambling addiction help.

State-by-state analysis revealed considerable variations across the country. For example, Illinois experienced a 35% increase in searches for gambling addiction following the introduction of sportsbooks, while Ohio saw an alarming 67% rise. These figures suggest a strong correlation between the availability of legal sports betting and the number of individuals seeking help for gambling-related problems.

The number of sports venue operators (top) and total wagers in the U.S. (bottom) surged from 2017 to 2023. (CREDIT: John W. Ayers of UC San Diego)

Online Sportsbooks Amplify the Risks

The meteoric rise of online sportsbooks complicates the addiction landscape further. Unlike traditional gaming venues that operated within specific hours, online betting platforms are accessible 24/7, exacerbating the potential for problematic behavior. According to a study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, states that introduced online sportsbooks witnessed a significantly greater rise in addiction-related searches compared to states with only physical sportsbooks.

For instance, in Pennsylvania, the number of searches related to gambling addiction surged by 61% after the launch of online sportsbooks, indicating that easier access significantly heightens risk. Adam Poliak, Ph.D., an assistant professor of computer science, emphasizes, “This pattern highlights the amplified risks associated with the accessibility and convenience of online sports betting.”

Moreover, this digital world of betting is seamlessly integrated into everyday life, especially through social media platforms and influencer marketing, thereby increasing exposure to sports betting for younger populations.

Monthly internet searches for gambling addiction in the U.S. grew from January 2016 to June 2024. (CREDIT: John W. Ayers of UC San Diego)

Urgent Need for Policy and Public Health Reforms

As the gambling industry flourishes, the pace of regulatory measures has not kept up with the growing concerns related to gambling addiction. Public health experts are urging policymakers to take decisive action to mitigate the risks associated with this booming industry.

Nimit Desai, a medical student, asserts, “The expansion of legalized sports betting to always be at arm’s reach has outpaced our ability to understand and address its public health consequences.” Experts recommend various interventions, such as increased funding for gambling addiction services, stricter advertising regulations, enhanced training for healthcare professionals, and more robust protections for online betting environments.

The urgency of implementing these recommendations is paramount; history has shown that unregulated industries can inflict great harm before regulation arrives. As John W. Ayers, Ph.D., points out, "Congress must act now by passing commonsense safeguards."

Despite the clear evidence of harm, gambling regulations have not kept pace with the rapid expansion of sports betting. (CREDIT: CC BY-SA 4.0)

Conclusion: A Call for Action

The rapid expansion of sports betting presents a double-edged sword. While it offers new revenue streams and entertainment avenues, it also poses significant public health risks that must not be ignored. Without timely intervention and regulation, the continuing growth of this industry may lead to an even more significant crisis in gambling addiction and its associated harms—one that could be far more challenging to contain in the future.

As the landscape of sports betting continues to evolve, it is imperative for lawmakers, healthcare professionals, and society at large to work collectively towards creating an environment that prioritizes public health and minimizes the risks associated with gambling. The time for action is now.