WASHINGTON — Public health experts warned Thursday of a growing crisis linked to rising gambling addiction among young people, driven by the expansion of online sports betting and easy access through mobile apps.
Helplines and treatment centers have reported sharp increases in calls from adolescents and young adults seeking help for gambling-related problems. In several states, the number of young men contacting services has risen significantly since sports betting was legalized in more jurisdictions following a 2018 Supreme Court decision. National surveys indicate that a substantial portion of young people have engaged in gambling activities before reaching legal age, with higher rates of problematic behavior observed among males aged 18 to 34.
The surge coincides with the rapid growth of the online betting industry. Sports wagers in the United States increased from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023, with the vast majority placed online. Sports betting is now legal in 38 states and the District of Columbia. Experts from organizations including the National Council on Problem Gambling and university research centers have highlighted that youth are particularly vulnerable due to constant exposure through social media, sports broadcasts and targeted advertising.
Studies show that between 5 and 10 percent of young men exhibit behaviors indicating a gambling problem, compared with lower rates in the general population. In one national survey, nearly two-thirds of adults aged 21 and older reported participating in some form of gambling before age 21. Calls to helplines have doubled or tripled in certain regions, with many involving issues tied to sports betting and micro-betting features that allow wagers on specific game moments.
The trend has affected mental health services and families, with reports of increased anxiety, debt and related harms among younger users. Prevention efforts, including school-based education programs, have lagged behind the industry's expansion, according to specialists. Some states have seen hundreds of additional calls from young people to gambling support lines in recent years.
As of Friday, organizations continued to track helpline data and advocate for stronger age verification, advertising restrictions and public awareness campaigns. Federal and state officials monitored the situation while treatment providers reported sustained demand for services among affected youth.
