Sports betting boom fuels surge in addiction searches
The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Murphy v. NCAA removed federal barriers to state-level sports betting, sparking a rapid expansion across the U.S. By 2024, 38 states had legalized wagering, turning what was once a limited activity into a widely accepted form of entertainment. Researchers from the University of California at San Diego School of Medicine and Qualcomm Institute documented a parallel surge in betting volumes, which climbed from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023—a 2,300% increase. This growth coincided with the rise of online platforms and mobile apps, making gambling more convenient than ever before.
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine examined how public concern about gambling addiction has risen alongside this expansion. Between 2018 and June 2024, Google searches for terms like “gambling addiction,” “hotline,” and “anonymous” increased by 23% nationwide. Some states saw far steeper rises: Ohio recorded a 67% jump, Pennsylvania a 50% increase, and Massachusetts a 47% rise. The data suggests that online betting, in particular, has driven demand for help, as its accessibility outpaces that of traditional sportsbooks.
In Pennsylvania, searches for gambling-related assistance spiked by 33% in the five months before online betting launched. After mobile platforms went live, the increase reached 61%. Davey Smith, a co-author of the study and a professor of medicine at UC San Diego, noted that many struggling individuals seek solutions privately through digital searches rather than openly discussing their issues. “Many people who are struggling with addiction don’t openly discuss it, but they do turn to the Internet for answers,” Smith said in a statement.
Beyond sports betting, the expansion of digital gambling, including poker, slots, and other games, has further widened the range of available wagering options. The study was designed to collect data about how the widespread availability of sportsbooks might affect the rate of gambling addiction in the U.S.
The study also reveals a significant gap between the industry’s growth and public health responses. Only Wyoming allocated funds for gambling addiction services when legalizing sportsbooks, dedicating $300,000 to the issue. Most states treat sportsbook revenues primarily as a financial gain rather than a public health priority, despite the clear link between betting expansion and rising searches for addiction support.
Researchers recommend several policy changes to address these concerns. These include stricter advertising regulations for sportsbooks, stronger safeguards for online sportsbooks (such as age limits, betting limits, enforced breaks from betting, and restrictions on credit card use), and increased funding for gambling addiction services using sportsbook tax revenues. John Ayers, the study’s senior author, stressed the need for better clinician training, as gambling addiction lacks standardized treatment protocols. Currently, treatments for other addictions are being used off-label to treat gambling addiction. Ayers urged early intervention for individuals worried about loved ones, directing them to resources like gambling addiction hotlines and specialists, though access to these services varies widely by state.
