As sports betting has soared, more people search online for help with gambling addiction

A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine highlights a concerning rise in gambling addiction following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that expanded online sports betting. The number of states permitting sports gambling surged from one to 38, resulting in dramatic increases in wagers. Research indicates that searches for help with gambling addiction rose 23% since the ruling. This study underscores the public health implications of gambling disorders, suggesting a pressing need for better awareness and resources to address this issue.

"Gambling disorder is a clinical diagnosis, and you start looking into the potential health implications and you see we have a complete blind spot to this."

"Searching for help for gambling addiction, people are Googling phrases like 'Am I addicted to gambling?' and 'Help me find help with gambling addiction.'"

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