New Report Suggests US Gambling Addiction Searches are Increasing

Responsible gaming is a major concern for our best sports betting sites and the state's they operate in. 

The legalization of sports betting in the US has increased searches for information on gambling addiction in the nation, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego Qualcomm Institute and School of Medicine.

The report, Growing Health Concern Regarding Gambling Addiction in the Age of Sportsbooks, was published in Jama Internal Medicine. It underscores the growth of businesses from operating in one US state to 38 in 2023. Betting activity also increased, amounting to $121.1 billion in bets in 2023.

This is far greater than the $4.9 billion in 2017. In addition, 94% of all bets in 2023 were made online.

The researchers analyzed Google search trends between 2016 and 2024, focusing on gambling addiction-related queries. Since the US Supreme Court struck down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA), searches for help with gambling addiction have increased by 23%, totaling approximately 6.5 to 7.3 million. At its peak, there were 180,000 searches per month.

Senior author Professor John W. Ayers explained that when sports betting was legalized, there was not much public health focus on gambling addiction. Yet, now millions are coming forward for help.

Causes of gambling addiction

Online sportsbooks have also significantly affected problem gambling questions more than conventional in-person sportsbook locations. In Pennsylvania, searches for gambling addiction grew by 33% after the introduction of brick-and-mortar sportsbooks.

However, once online wagering sites launched, searches increased by 61%. The authors concluded that the ease and convenience of online sports betting are powerful elements in assisting addictive tendencies.

Pennsylvania's online sports betting has grown significantly since it first went live. In November 2024, sportsbooks saw record-breaking handles and revenues. 

State-by-state information also supports this pattern, showing a discernible match between sportsbook rollouts and increased searches for assistance with gambling addiction. Illinois (35%), Massachusetts (47%), Michigan (37%), New Jersey (34%), New York (37%), Ohio (67%), and Virginia (30%) all show strong help-seeking behaviors concerning gambling following the implementation of sports betting.

The researchers put forward several policy suggestions to address the issue. They suggested allocating sportsbook tax revenues to fund gambling addiction treatment services and expanding access to evidence-based treatments. They also suggested enhanced advertising restrictions in imitation of tobacco and alcohol, limiting exposure to susceptible populations.

More robust protections for online sportsbooks, such as betting limits, age limits, mandatory breaks, and prohibitions on using credit cards for gambling, are also needed. Professor Ayers called on legislators to act now, cautioning that, without intervention, gambling addiction will only increase as sports betting grows.