Calls to Helpline Rise 23% After Online Betting Was Legalized

A study by the University of New Hampshire links the legalization of online sports betting to an increase in calls to the National Problem Gambling Helpline. According to the study, calls rose by 23%.

The study also examined the profile of people seeking help. It found that half of callers were between 18 and 34 years old, and it stressed that this group is especially young and vulnerable. It also recorded that 70% of those seeking help were men.

The researchers also drew attention to changes in game preferences. While traditional forms of gambling declined, online and app-based games grew by 31%. According to the study, there is also a 3.1% increase in suicide rates linked to problem gambling.

Lead author Gorkem Turgut Ozer said the harm mainly emerges when the activity moves online. He said that as mobile access has become widespread, a measurable increase has been seen in helpline calls and suicide rates. Ozer argued that the business model of betting platforms relies on keeping players in the game for long periods, and that real-time feedback loops combined with unlimited access lower the threshold for compulsive behavior.

According to the study, unmarried men who are younger and have relatively low levels of education are the group most likely to develop unhealthy betting habits. Ozer calls for measures such as provider training, expanded mental health resources, and outreach to high-risk groups. In addition to policymakers, universities and colleges are advised to take action on this issue.