"In Massachusetts, where sports betting was legalized in August 2022 and has expanded rapidly, recent data show strong economic gains alongside mounting public health concerns. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission reported $98.47 million in taxable sports betting revenue in December 2025, generating a record $19.6 million in tax revenue for the Commonwealth. Sportsbooks accepted more than $845 million in wagers that month."
""We diagnose a gambling disorder just as we would an alcohol use disorder or an opioid use disorder," said James McKowen, a clinical psychologist and clinical director of the Addiction Recovery Management Service at Mass General Hospital. Like other addictions, gambling triggers the dopamine system in the brain. The rush of winning - or even just anticipating a bet - can reinforce the compulsive behavior, according to McKowen."
"While most bets are casual, addiction specialists warn the "ubiquity" of gambling is increasing risk for vulnerable individuals. Recent research suggests the problem is growing in Massachusetts. A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found that among gamblers: Problem gambling among monthly gamblers in Mass. rose from 20.9% in 2022 to 28% in Fall 2024. Financial harms jumped from 18% to 25%. Family and relationship harms nearly doubled from 13.9% to 27.2%."
U.S. sportsbooks are expected to take about $1.76 billion in wagers on Super Bowl LX, a nearly 27% increase from last year. Massachusetts legalized sports betting in August 2022 and experienced rapid expansion, with sportsbooks accepting over $845 million in wagers in December 2025, producing $98.47 million in taxable revenue and $19.6 million in tax revenue. Problem gambling is a recognized addiction diagnosed similarly to alcohol or opioid use disorders, and gambling activates the brain's dopamine system, reinforcing compulsive behavior. A University of Massachusetts Amherst study found problem gambling and financial and relationship harms increased markedly among gamblers between 2022 and Fall 2024.
Read at Boston.com
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