Sports Betting Expansion Fuels Surge in Gambling Addiction Searches
Sports Betting Expansion Fuels Gambling Addiction Concerns
In recent years, online searches for gambling addiction-related terms have surged significantly across the U.S. This trend correlates strongly with the expansion of sports betting. Following the 2018 Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, states began to legalize sports betting, resulting in increased public awareness of gambling addiction.
Key Findings from the Study
- 23% increase in nationwide searches for gambling addiction help, equating to approximately 6.5 to 7.3 million queries.
- States like Illinois (35%), Massachusetts (47%), and Ohio (67%) showed remarkable increases.
- Online sportsbooks had a significantly greater impact on gambling addiction searches compared to retail sportsbooks.
The analysis, conducted by researchers and published in the American Medical Association's journal, examined search queries for terms linked to gambling, addiction, and support resources from January 2016 to June 2024.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.