Arizona has seen a notable rise in people asking for help with gambling addiction since sports betting was legalized.
Sports betting was legalized in Arizona back in 2021. Four years on, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG)’s Division of Problem Gambling (DPG) has reported an increase in total calls to its problem gambling helpline, according to DPG director Elise Mikkelson speaking to Axios.
However, that’s not necessarily due to gambling being legalized but perhaps due to awareness. Mikkelson believes that the increase in use of the service could be linked to more people being aware of the support available to them, as sports betting licenses must list the DPG’s number and helpline on signs and ads.
“The way addiction works, there’s going to be lag time before we see fallout from an increase in gaming and gambling activities,” explained Mikkelson. “So I would say right now it’s more of an awareness issue.”
Arizona is not an isolated zone of gambling addiction, either, with a study in the American Medical Association’s peer-reviewed journal last month citing a 23% increase in online searches for support with gambling addictions across the US.
What support is available for those with a gambling addiction?
Gambling addiction helplines are seeing a particular increase in calls from young people, typically men in their 20s and 30s. In Arizona, the ADG reported that the state reached a new monthly record in sports bets in November 2024, with $898 million made. That saw a 26% increase from November 2023.
The rise in gambling is met with a rise in support provided by the ADG, with the organization funding gambling addiction treatment for 992 people in the fiscal year of 2024. That’s a small increase compared with 948 people in 2023 and a larger spike from 816 people in 2022, costing the division nearly $1.4 million in 2024.
Treatment options available via the ADG include a self-exclusion program that voluntarily bans them from casinos in the state and betting apps for a legally binding amount of time, as well as counselling options funded by the state.
With March being Problem Gambling Awareness Month, here’s a closer look at the signs and causes if you’re concerned about yourself or someone in your life.
Featured image: Midjourney
