From Legalization to Crisis: The Surging Gambling Addiction Problem
First, they legalize gambling and flood every possible channel with advertisements. Then, they act surprised when gambling addiction rates skyrocket. The latest Google data reveals a troubling trend: searches for "gambling addiction" in the U.S. have surged dramatically since the legalization of sports betting in 2018.
Google Data Highlights the Problem
The American Medical Association’s journal, JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed Google searches from 2016 to 2024, looking for terms such as "gambling, addiction, addict, or anonymous hotline." Their research found a significant rise in gambling-related distress, particularly in states where sports betting has been legalized.
According to the findings, nationwide queries seeking help for gambling-related harm ranged between 6.5 million and 7.3 million. The impact was especially pronounced in Illinois, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, where calls to problem gambling helplines increased between 30% and 67%.
Florida's Gambling Helpline Overwhelmed
Florida serves as a stark example of this growing crisis. In 2020, the state’s gambling helpline received 19,167 calls. By 2024, after the full-scale launch of Hard Rock Bet, that number had surged to 62,753—a more than threefold increase.
This trend exposes a harsh reality: while legalization aimed to curb the offshore market and regulate gambling more effectively, it has also contributed to a sharp rise in gambling-related harm.
Online Gambling Drives Higher Addiction Rates
Another critical takeaway from the study is the impact of online gambling. Data suggests that online betting significantly increases addiction rates compared to land-based gambling.
For instance, when sports betting was limited to brick-and-mortar venues in Pennsylvania, searches for gambling addiction rose by 33%. However, once online sports betting launched, the search volume surged by 61%, reinforcing concerns that easy access to online gambling exacerbates addictive behaviors.
The Industry Must Acknowledge the Consequences
The results are clear: the widespread legalization and aggressive promotion of gambling have fueled an increase in problem gambling. Yet, industry leaders and regulators seem reluctant to take full responsibility.
If gambling companies and policymakers truly care about responsible gambling, they must address these issues head-on. Transparency about RTP reductions, responsible advertising, and better support for gambling addiction treatment are essential steps in mitigating the damage caused by an industry that profits from risk-taking behaviors.
The question remains: will action be taken to protect vulnerable players, or will the industry continue to prioritize profits over responsibility?
tickscollar All this bullshit was invented to squeeze out the last money. It used to be easier - bet on red, win or lose. And now some chickens are running, airplanes are flying... Circus.
xSuiZ The article is fire! Everything was laid out according to the facts. Drake is not a ludomaniac, he is a walking advertisement. And while the suckers believe in his "curse", Stake rakes in the money. Beautiful, you can't say anything. I've been riding a steak myself for a year now, I threw in crypto and generally don't give a about all the blocking.
Leoak Finally a good article on NC! I've been playing them since the very beginning, since the first Deadwood. Yes, their dispersion is crazy, you can lose a deposit in 100 spins. But when he pours ... It's worth it. In Mental x15k I caught, I still remember this spin. The whole point is in their x-mechanics, they really change the game, and not just for show.
tealblossom 2 minutes to respond? Yes, this is a dream! Otherwise, while you wait for these operators, you will already want to play. It's high time!
Bitcoin at $90k: Whales go all-in while altcoins lose ground
Galaxynerd Scam
It’s shocking to see how fast gambling addiction has spread. If they don’t take action soon, it’s only going to get worse.
They legalized it, advertised it everywhere, and now act surprised that more people are addicted? What did they think would happen?
I used to enjoy online gambling, but it quickly became an issue for me. These statistics are terrifying, and more regulations are needed.
This is exactly what I’ve been saying! The industry claims to care about responsible gambling, but they do everything to encourage more bets.