Rising Sports Betting Wagers Correlate With Growing Public Health Concerns
As sports betting wagers surge to $121 billion annually, experts warn of a public health crisis unfolding at a pace faster than policymakers anticipated.
A 2023 JAMA Internal Medicine study found a 23% national rise in internet searches for gambling-addiction help since 2018, while Americans' perception of sports betting as a societal harm increased from 34% in 2022 to 43% in 2026.
Malcolm Sparrow said:
"It takes between five and seven years before countries become more painfully aware of all the misery that increased access wreaks on public health, public finances, and so on."
Debi LaPlante said:
"Many health care providers don't have the knowledge, skills, or tools to address gambling-related problems among their clients and patients."
With 39 states having legalized sports betting in some form since the 2018 Supreme Court decision, experts warn that even mild participation may cause harm.
The JAMA study notes that up to 50% of gamblers suffer some degree of harm and regret. However, the data covers wagers through 2023 with no long-term follow-up on addiction outcomes, and the findings represent correlation, not causation, based on human trial data.
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