The Rise of Sports Gambling: Understanding the New Addiction Landscape

In 2023, Florida joined more than 30 other states in legalizing sports betting, allowing mobile and online betting. Since then, sports betting has gone from an obscure pastime into a widespread phenomenon that has reshaped how Americans experience sports and entertainment. 

Millions enjoy gambling as a leisure activity. In the past year, more than sixty percent of adult Americans placed a wager. For most, gambling is entertainment they enjoy without significant problems.

Dr. Rolando Gonzalez, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist with Lee Health Pediatric Behavioral Health, cautions that in some people, gambling can pose an addiction risk.

“The excitement of gambling and the chance of a big win can stimulate the brain’s reward system, much like drugs and alcohol, which can cause addictive behavior,” says Dr. Gonzalez, who also provides mental health care and treatment for elite and competitive athletes through all competitive levels, including athletes with disabilities. 

“The ease of access to online and mobile gambling platforms makes it easier for individuals to place bets anytime and anywhere, worsening a potential problem.” 

Dr. Gonzalez says gambling is a neurological trap that creates feelings of euphoria and excitement. 

“These feelings are driven by dopamine, a messenger in your brain that’s released by the act of gambling,” he explains. “Winning a gambling bet increases dopamine and pleasure, for sure. But losing a bet does, too.”

In other words, whether you win or lose a bet, Dr. Gonzalez says, dopamine gets released. And that can spell trouble for some bettors.

“The release of dopamine reinforces the gambling behavior and makes it more likely that the person will gamble again,” he explains. “The anticipation of winning, by itself, can also trigger dopamine release. Some bettors are very susceptible to that release and its associated pleasure. They end up chasing that feeling, time and again. And that can lead to an addiction.”

According to the American Gaming Association, the commercial gaming industry set a new revenue record for the third consecutive year. Combined revenue from casino games, sports betting, and iGaming hit $66.52 billion—a 10% jump from the previous year's record.

Partnership ventures with celebrities, influencers, pro sports, and the media (TV, radio, online) are driving the sports betting boom, Dr. Gonzalez notes. 

And it’s also driving more calls to gambling addiction support lines than ever before, he says.

“The rate of requests for support of gambling disorder behavior has increased in every state,” Dr. Gonzalez says. “This suggests a growing recognition of gambling's psychological impacts.”

In Florida, the state’s Council on Compulsive Gambling reports calls have doubled since 2023. 

The digital gambling revolution

Technological advancements have played a pivotal role in the growth of sports betting. 

“Online platforms and mobile applications have revolutionized the way people place bets, making it easier and more convenient than ever before,” Dr. Gonazlez says. “If you ever used an application for fantasy sports, you're going to see a bunch of promotions for betting and different types of betting directly on the application.”

He adds, “Digital technology has made gambling accessible 24/7.”

Major operators have developed sophisticated apps that offer real-time odds, live streaming of events, and a wide array of betting options, catering to casual and seasoned bettors. 

Technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics personalize betting experiences for bettors, too. Advanced analytics help them make more informed wagers based on historical data and real-time statistics. 

Dr. Gonzalez says that, historically, gambling carried a social stigma. “If people wanted to gamble legally, they had to physically visit casinos, be age-appropriate, and observe state regulations.”

Now, the landscape has dramatically changed. 

"You can legally gamble at home, privately, or with friends. You can gamble by yourself. There's no judgment or stigma that you have to deal with anymore.” 

Addiction risks and warning signs

Problem gambling (sometimes referred to as gambling addiction or gambling disorder) is gambling behavior that damages a person or their family, often disrupting their daily life and career, according to the American Psychiatric Association.

Anyone who gambles can be at-risk for developing a gambling problem, says Dr. Gonzalez.

“Gambling disorder is a recognized mental health diagnosis,” he notes. “Gambling involves risking something of value on an uncertain outcome with the hope of gaining something of greater value.”

According to the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG), about four to six million U.S. adults meet the criteria for problem gambling. An additional two million meet the criteria for a gambling disorder. In Florida, experts estimated that about 300,000 to 400,000 adults are at risk for developing a gambling addiction. Young males (ages 18-35) are the highest-risk group.

Warning signs of a gambling problem or addiction: 

• You often think about gambling, including past experiences and future plans.
• To experience the desired thrill, you take bigger risks in gambling.
• You have failed to quit, reduce, or manage gambling time and again.
• You feel restless or irritable while attempting to quit or reduce gambling.
• You use gambling to cope with problems, negative moods, or stress.
• If you lose money gambling, you often return to get even. (This is referred to as "chasing" one's losses.)
• You lie to hide the extent of gambling involvement.
• You experience the loss of jobs, academic achievements, and close relationships from your gambling addiction.
• You rely on others to help with money problems caused by gambling.

Source: Adapted from the American Psychiatric Association

Recommendations for responsible gambling

Dr. Gonzalez offers simple yet powerful advice: "Is it fun? Keep using your budget and try to make it social." 

The key is maintaining gambling as an occasional social activity rather than a potential source of income, he advises.

As sports betting continues integrating into mainstream culture, awareness and personal accountability become paramount. Understanding the psychological mechanisms, recognizing warning signs, and maintaining healthy boundaries can help individuals enjoy sports betting responsibly.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, reach out for help. As Dr. Gonzalez says: “Your mental health is more important than any wager.” 

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: Sports psychologist Dr. Rolando Gonzalez discusses the rise of problem gambling

Resources 

For individuals concerned about potential gambling addiction, resources are available, including:

• Gamblers Anonymous
• 1-800-Gambler
• Mental health counselors and psychiatrists specializing in addiction
• Professional therapy focused on behavioral health

We see you: Lee Health Pediatric Behavioral Health Services

Lee Health Pediatric Behavioral Health Services strives to address the diverse mental health needs of our community by providing psychiatric services and mental health resources.

Services include new client evaluation, medication management, and psychotherapeutic evaluation and management.

For a consultation or to schedule an appointment with a Lee Health Pediatric Behavioral Health expert, call 239-343-9180.