AGA Report Claims Betting Growth Resulted in Addictions and Crime
The American Gaming Association has released a report that reveals sports betting increased by 23.5% in the US in 2024.
Sports betting increased in 2024, but so did gambling addiction.
Key Facts:
- A report from the American Gaming Association says US sports betting total handle rose 23% in 2024
- Report claims calls to problem gambling resources have increased since 2018
- AGA says legal sports betting has contributed to bankruptcies and criminal activity
The AGA has been in favor of legalized sports betting in the United States, since before the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down PASPA. But their look back at sports betting activity in 2024 is sobered by the organization’s concerns over gambling addiction and other consequences of legal sports betting.
In less than seven years, 38 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized some form of sports betting. More Americans are placing sports bets than ever before. In 2024, according to the AGA report, sports betting in the US grew by 23.6% in 2024, with a staggering $147.9 billion wagered.
Several states saw major increases in gambling revenue, with Massachusetts experiencing a 40% jump and Illinois surpassing New Jersey to become the second-largest market behind New York.
But with that surge in sports betting dollars for the states comes a growing need for support services for those struggling with gambling addiction.
The AGA claims gambling addiction rates have climbed since 2018. Organizations specializing in treatment in several states with legal sports betting have reported a sharp increase in people seeking help.
Birches Health, a provider focused on gambling addiction, noted that the last year brought “significant developments” in how gambling is affecting individuals and society.
This rapid expansion has not only made gambling more mainstream but has also led to rising calls to gambling helplines.
In Virginia, calls increased nearly tenfold between 2019 and 2023, while Florida saw a 138% rise in just two months after legalizing sports betting. New Jersey, which also permits online casino games, has reported a 277% increase in outreach since 2018.
Rise in Criminal Activity
Recent studies suggest that legalized sports betting isn’t just leading to more addiction—it’s also contributing to financial distress, bankruptcy, and even criminal behavior, including domestic violence. Among young men in New Jersey aged 18-20, the gambling addiction rate is estimated at 10%, more than three times the national average.
Elliott Rapaport, founder of Birches Health, says that many young bettors nationwide are seeking help for severe gambling issues. Even in states where sports betting remains illegal, unregulated platforms make it easy for people to place bets and access online casino games.
However, it should be noted that the legalization of sports betting has led to more people having access to problem gambling services. It’s to be expected that instances of problem gambling therapy or hotline calls would increase.
Also, calls to gambling addiction hotlines do not mean those callers are suffering from addiction.
Healthcare professionals have not come to a consensus on the impact the expansion of legal sports betting has had on cases of gambling addiction. Concrete data on such things is not available nationwide.
Some states, notably Massachusetts, Ohio, and Virginia, have been taking action to require studies on gambling addiction. Most states require some of the tax revenue gathered from sports betting to be used on gambling addiction research. The AGA has called for a nationwide study cooperative to pool data and analysis.
With billions of dollars at stake, an entire support industry has emerged alongside legalized gambling. Traditional groups like Gamblers Anonymous remain active, but newer services are also available.
Kindbridge Behavioral Health and Birches Health offer virtual counseling to remove barriers like travel costs. Many of these services are covered by insurance, making help more accessible for those in need.
As sports betting continues to expand, so too does the challenge of addressing the consequences that come with it. However, even with concerns, sports betting is clearly popular with Americans.
