Gambling and sports betting: when play becomes addiction
Risky SubstancesKey points
- The Lancet Commission estimated about 80 million adults worldwide have problem gambling or gambling disorder.
- Online gambling and sports betting carry particularly high risk.
- Problem gambling is linked to debt, depression, relationship breakdown and suicide risk.
- Gambling disorder is a recognized condition and is treatable.
The scale of the problem
The Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling estimated that about 80 million adults worldwide have problem gambling or gambling disorder, and hundreds of millions more experience some harm. The Commission called for treating gambling as a public health issue (Wardle et al., 2024).
Since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the federal ban on sports betting in 2018, most states have legalized it, and calls to problem gambling helplines have risen.
Why online gambling is especially risky
- available 24/7 on your phone;
- very fast bets and outcomes;
- easy deposits and constant promotions;
- in-game “micro” bets during sports events.
Problem gambling is strongly linked to depression and suicidal behavior; suicide prevention strategies include reducing access to means of harm and supporting people in crisis (Zalsman et al., 2016).
What to do
- Set strict time and money limits, or avoid gambling apps entirely.
- Use self-exclusion programs offered by states and betting platforms.
- Block gambling sites and apps on your devices.
- Talk to someone: the National Problem Gambling Helpline (1-800-GAMBLER) is free and confidential.
Frequently asked questions
Is sports betting more addictive?
Mobile betting allows fast, frequent bets at any time, including in-game bets, which researchers link to higher risk.
How is gambling disorder treated?
CBT, support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous, financial counseling and, in some cases, medication. Many states fund free treatment.
Sources
- Wardle et al. (2024). The Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling. The Lancet Public Health 9(11):e950-e994. doi:10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00167-1
- Zalsman et al. (2016). Suicide prevention strategies revisited: 10-year systematic review. The Lancet Psychiatry 3(7):646-659. doi:10.1016/S2215-0366(16)30030-X
- Sohn et al. (2019). Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and associated mental health outcomes amongst children and young people: a systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence. BMC Psychiatry 19(1). doi:10.1186/s12888-019-2350-x
- National Council on Problem Gambling. National Problem Gambling Helpline. www.ncpgambling.org
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