Surge in Sports Betting Spurs 23% Rise in Gambling Addiction Help Searches

A new study by researchers at the University of California, San Diego highlights a troubling increase in gambling addiction following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized sports betting across many states. The study reports a 23% rise in online searches for gambling addiction help, with searches peaking at around 180,000 per month in June 2023. Since the ruling, sports wagers have skyrocketed from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023, leading to a normalization of gambling in American culture through widespread advertising. As states benefit from the financial windfall of sports betting, addiction treatment resources are struggling to keep pace with demand. In response, lawmakers are pushing for federal funding to address gambling addiction, proposing that a portion of sports excise tax revenue be allocated for treatment and research. The situation is particularly pressing in states like Illinois, New York, and New Jersey, where sports betting is most prevalent.