Increase in Phone Consultations Regarding Compulsive Gambling in Florida
Florida's legalisation of sports gambling at the end of 2023 has led to a surge in both gambling participation and associated issues, such as financial distress and potential rises in problem gambling behaviours.
Since the launch of online sports betting in December 2023, the state has seen a significant market growth. In the first full year (2024), the handle amounted to $12 billion, with $6.6 billion in the first half of 2025. This increased accessibility to gambling has raised concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups like youth and young adults.
Pre-widespread mobile internet, nearly 70% of Florida youths aged 13-17 had gambled at some point, with 11.5% being weekly gamblers. Given the increased accessibility post-legalisation, these figures may be even higher. National surveys indicate that young adults (16-25) are at a higher risk of developing gambling problems, with 79% starting to gamble before the legal age and 6% of college students experiencing problems.
These financial strains suggest a growing problem gambling impact linked to sports betting availability. A recent survey found that 25% of US sports bettors missed bill payments due to gambling losses, with many experiencing debt and resorting to high-risk financial measures.
Gambling addiction is associated with mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance use, and increased likelihood of criminal activity, as well as comorbid conditions like PTSD. Illegal gambling markets remain sizable, with illegal wagers in Florida contributing to a black market estimated at billions, potentially exacerbating unmonitored risky gambling behaviour.
To address these concerns, prevention strategies include increased education and awareness campaigns targeted at adolescents and young adults, early detection of problem gambling, financial counseling and debt management assistance for bettors, and strong regulation to reduce the influence of illegal gambling operators.
The number of calls to the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling's helpline has increased since the legalisation of sports gambling. In 2024, there were 61,000 calls to the helpline, up from 34,000 in 2023. Recovering from gambling addiction can be challenging, particularly with the ability to carry a betting app on one's phone. Forrest Arthur, CEO of Resurgence Tampa Bay, argues that this makes it difficult for someone looking to recover from gambling addiction.
Florida has been actively working to eliminate the influence of illegal gambling within the state by ousting operators and going after illegal land-based businesses. Approximately $3.1 billion is expected to be placed legally on the outcome of college-level basketball games during the March Madness betting frenzy in Florida. Despite these efforts, the ongoing challenge lies in balancing the growth of the sports betting industry with the need for effective prevention strategies and support for those affected by problem gambling.
The surge in sports gambling, following its legalization in Florida, has motivated concerns about its influence on health-and-wellness, particularly among vulnerable groups such as youth and young adults. In addition, the increased accessibility to sports gambling has led to debates in the science community about potential rises in problem gambling behaviors.
