Sports Betting Costs: Beyond the Odds
- The expansion of legalized sports betting is coinciding with a rise in gambling addiction, raising concerns among experts about the lack of resources to address the problem.
- Americans now wager an estimated $150 billion annually on sports, and nearly half of men under 50 have online sports book accounts.
- Joshua Grubbs, a gambling researcher at the University of New Mexico, cautioned against viewing sports gambling as a path to financial gain.
The expansion of legalized sports betting across the U.S. is fostering a surge in gambling addiction, a reality increasingly impacting individuals adn communities. This rise in problem gambling stems from the increased accessibility of online betting and the popularity of rapid,in-game wagering formats,which exacerbate addictive behaviors. The article emphasizes the critical need for increased funding and research to address what many experts view as a growing crisis. Discover the financial and emotional costs of sports betting addiction, explore the stories of those affected, and understand why federal funding lags. With the rise of online sportsbooks, experts are calling for prevention measures and proper treatment programs. Unfortunately,many states lack resources to address this addiction.News Directory 3 explores the hidden consequences, like minimal support for those seeking help.Discover what’s next in the push for comprehensive prevention and treatment programs.
Sports Betting fuels Rise in Gambling Addiction Across teh U.S.
Updated June 6, 2025
The expansion of legalized sports betting is coinciding with a rise in gambling addiction, raising concerns among experts about the lack of resources to address the problem. Since 2018, when a federal ban was lifted, sports wagering has become legal in a majority of states, leading to a surge in online betting and related issues.
Americans now wager an estimated $150 billion annually on sports, and nearly half of men under 50 have online sports book accounts. This increased accessibility, coupled with the rise of rapid, in-game betting options, is creating a perfect storm for problem gamblers.
Joshua Grubbs, a gambling researcher at the University of New Mexico, cautioned against viewing sports gambling as a path to financial gain. He noted that individuals who see gambling as an investment are more likely to develop problem-gambling symptoms.
The rise in gambling addiction mirrors patterns seen in substance abuse, with similar brain activity and health risks, according to studies. Timothy Fong, a psychiatrist at UCLA, noted the emotional toll of gambling disorders, stating that some patients have died due to the associated pain.
“I’ve had several patients who died as of the emotional pain from their gambling disorder,” said Timothy Fong, a psychiatrist specializing in addiction treatment and a co-director of UCLA’s gambling-studies program.
Despite the growing problem, federal funding for gambling addiction research and treatment remains scarce. Michael Sciandra,executive director of the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling,said that gambling-addiction treatment lags behind that of other addictions by 50 years.
Limited resources meen that treatment options vary widely by state. Cole Wogoman, a director at the National Council on Problem Gambling, said that in states with minimal support, callers to the national helpline are frequently enough referred to peer-support groups or online budgeting resources, which are less effective than therapy.
What’s next
Advocates are pushing for increased funding and research to better understand and address the growing problem of gambling addiction in the era of legalized sports betting. As more states consider legalizing sports wagering, the need for comprehensive prevention and treatment programs becomes increasingly urgent.