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A recent national survey by Albany's Siena College and St. Bonaventure University in Western New York indicates a surge in online sports betting among Americans. 

The survey revealed that 39% of Americans participate in sports betting, with 19% holding accounts with online betting services. Director of the Siena College Research Institute Don Levy highlighted that a significant portion of bettors expressed regret, with 40% admitting to feeling ashamed after losses and 38% acknowledging excessive betting. 

Recognizing the signs

According to experts, recognizing signs of addiction is the first step to finding a solution. Team Leader at Problem Gambling Resource Centers Jeffrey Wierzbicki noted a concerning trend of young individuals squandering college funds due to excessive betting. Recognizing signs of addiction, Wierzbicki emphasized that if gambling causes problems, it constitutes an addiction. 

Director of the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence Jennifer Faringer also stressed the insidious nature of gambling addiction, often remaining undetected until significant financial losses occur. She pointed out the importance of early intervention to mitigate the adverse effects of gambling addiction.

The signs of gambling addiction include persistent thoughts about gambling, inability to control or stop gambling, prioritizing gambling over responsibilities, hiding gambling habits, borrowing money to gamble, experiencing mood swings related to gambling outcomes and lying about gambling activities or losses.

The problem with accessibility

New York's approval of mobile sports betting in 2022 accelerated this trend. The survey delineated that 39% of men aged 18 to 49 and 20% of women in the same age group have had online betting accounts. 

Director of problem gambling resource centers at the New York Council on Problem Gambling Kristen Sweeter reported a surge in requests for help from young sports bettors exhibiting problem behaviors. The Siena survey showed that only 9% of bettors seek assistance for controlling or stopping problem gambling despite 18% experiencing financial losses. 

Among 18- to 34-year-olds, 22% have encountered problems, with 13% seeking help. Sweeter attributes youth risk-taking tendencies and the ease of mobile sports betting to increased recklessness, often unnoticed until significant losses occur.