Massachusetts gamers maintaining a more negative perspective towards wagering, according to recent studies
In the past two years, Massachusetts has seen a significant increase in problem gambling, particularly among monthly gamblers. According to research conducted by the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA), the proportion of problem gamblers rose from 20.9% in 2022 to 28% in the fall of 2024.
This surge in problem gambling coincides with the legalization and expansion of sports betting in the state. For instance, the percentage of monthly gamblers who bet on sports weekly grew from 18.9% in 2022 to 26.3% in fall 2024. Simultaneously, illegal sports betting declined, and more betting occurred through legal sportsbooks.
Several key causes have been identified for this rise in problem gambling. The legalization of sports betting made it more accessible and widely used, shifting activity from social and illegal betting to legal platforms. Additionally, an increase in overall gambling participation, followed by a slight decline in spring 2024 but stabilization by fall 2024, played a role. Notably, heavy gamblers participating in online surveys showed higher rates of problems, indicating that those engaging frequently are more vulnerable to harm.
The effects of this rise in problem gambling are concerning. Increased family and relationship harms, financial difficulties arising from gambling behaviours, negative sentiment and concern towards gambling growing among the public, and potentially damaging psychological impacts are some of the consequences. These issues are linked to risk factors for addiction and related adverse outcomes such as suicide risk, particularly linked to pathological and problem gambling.
To address these issues, several potential solutions and approaches have been recommended. These include the continued development and expansion of education and harm reduction strategies targeting sports bettors, broadening responsible gambling tools and interventions to support individuals experiencing financial, familial, or relationship harms, utilization of rigorous, evidence-based research to inform public health policies, prevention, and treatment programs, and monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of responsible gaming initiatives to ensure research findings translate into practical policy and service improvements.
Rachel Volberg, the principal investigator for SEIGMA, expressed concern about the increasing trend of gambling-related problems among the population. She urged the state to address the issue of people experiencing gambling-related problems in light of the potential impacts of legalized sports betting. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission receives an annual series of research presented by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and Volberg presented the data to the Commission on July 31, 2023.
The research highlights a need for the state to consider the potential negative impacts of legalized sports betting on the population. More people are questioning the merits of legalizing gambling, and especially legalizing it without considering potential impacts. The shift in sentiment among gamblers towards viewing the harm of gambling as outweighing the benefits has continued to increase, with 56% of gamblers believing that the harm outweighed the benefits by Q3 2024, reaching an all-time high.
In summary, the increase in problem gambling in Massachusetts from 2022 to 2024 is closely associated with the legal expansion of sports betting, causing heightened personal and social harms. Addressing these issues requires coordinated public health efforts centered on education, regulation, support tools, and ongoing research.
- The legalization of sports betting in Massachusetts has not only led to an increase in sports betting but also a rise in problem gambling, with the proportion of problem gamblers who bet on sports weekly growing significantly.
- Finance and politics are intertwined with the issue of gambling, as concerns grow about the potential negative impacts of legalized sports betting on individuals' financial stability and the public's sentiments towards gambling.
- The increased focus on problem gambling and its impacts on individuals, families, and society as a whole has brought the issue of casino-and-gambling regulation to the forefront of general news, with calls for more responsible gaming and stricter regulations.
