A recent study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst reveals that the introduction of casinos in Massachusetts has not led to a surge in problem gambling, contrary to some expectations. 

UMass Research Shows Slight Decrease in Problem Gambling

The findings, presented to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, indicate that despite the proliferation of gambling opportunities, the prevalence of problem gambling remained relatively stable.

The study, led by Rachel Volberg, a research professor at UMass Amherst, compared data collected before and after the opening of three major casinos in the state. Surprisingly, the results showed that the rate of problem gambling actually decreased slightly from 2% in 2013 to 1.4% in 2021 among the adult population aged 18 and over.

Volberg highlighted the impact of COVID-19 on gambling behavior, noting that restrictions imposed during the pandemic reduced overall gambling activity. However, even before the pandemic, the study found no significant increase in problem gambling despite the establishment of new casinos.

Volberg explained that they had hypothesized that exposure to casinos in neighboring Connecticut might mitigate any potential rise in problem gambling. She added that it was reassuring to see their hypothesis confirmed.

At-Risk Gamblers’ Concerns Highlighted in UMass Study

The study also revealed a decline in out-of-state casino patronage, with only 10.2% of respondents in 2021 reporting gambling outside of Massachusetts, compared to 21.5% in 2013. This suggests that the casinos succeeded in keeping more gambling revenue within the state, as intended by the 2011 Expanded Gaming Act.

However, there are concerns regarding the financial impact on at-risk gamblers, who show signs of potential gambling problems but are not yet classified as problem gamblers. The study noted that the proportion of gambling expenditures coming from at-risk gamblers increased significantly, highlighting the need for early intervention and support mechanisms.

Jordan Maynard, interim chair of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about available resources for problem gambling. The study found a significant gap in public awareness of support services, indicating a need for improved outreach efforts.

Despite the overall stable rates of problem gambling, public perception of the gambling industry in Massachusetts has shifted. More residents now believe that gambling is too widely available, with 67.5% expressing this concern in 2021 compared to just 15.6% in 2013.

The study, funded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, surveyed over 6,000 adults to provide a comprehensive analysis of gambling trends in the state. While the findings offer reassurance regarding problem gambling rates, they also underscore the importance of continued monitoring and proactive measures to address potential harms associated with gambling.

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Individuals grappling with problem gambling face more than just the challenges of their addiction. They confront a system rife with bias, making it significantly harder for them to access necessary treatment compared to those struggling with other dependencies.

Individuals with Gambling Disorder Navigate Inequities in Health Coverage

At the 16th Annual Michigan Problem Gambling Symposium, held recently, University of Oklahoma Law Professor Stacey A. Tovino shed light on the institutional biases encountered by those with a gambling problem. Tovino highlighted how individuals with gambling disorder are often disadvantaged when seeking healthcare through both public health programs and private insurance plans, reported Play Michigan.

According to Tovino, individuals grappling with gambling disorder are often subjected to disparities in health insurance coverage and policies. These disparities manifest in various forms, including limited coverage, lower spending caps, and stricter requirements for outpatient visits and therapy sessions. Remarkably, these obstacles are not typically encountered by individuals seeking treatment for physical ailments.

Tovino emphasized the disparity in coverage between mental health conditions and gambling disorder, noting that insurance companies frequently provide fewer benefits for the latter. She explained that individuals with gambling disorder may receive significantly fewer covered inpatient days or outpatient visits compared to those with physical health conditions requiring similar therapy.

Medical Insurance Companies Fail to Address Gambling Addiction

Moreover, despite efforts to enhance mental health coverage over the years, including through legislation like the Mental Health Parity Act of 1996 and subsequent amendments, problem gambling remains inadequately addressed. Despite being classified as an impulse control disorder, akin to other recognized dependencies, insurance companies often exclude coverage for gambling addiction.

The expansion of online gambling further exacerbates the issue, with insurance policies increasingly failing to provide coverage for gambling disorder, specifically targeting online gambling addiction.

In Michigan, where the benchmark health plan lacks explicit provisions for gambling disorder treatment, individuals struggling with problem gambling find themselves particularly disadvantaged. Unlike alcohol or substance addiction, gambling disorder is not universally recognized as a disability, further complicating efforts to secure coverage and support.

Amidst these challenges, Michigan offers various resources for individuals and families affected by problem gambling, including helplines, self-exclusion programs, and support groups like Gamblers Anonymous and Game-Anon.

Last year the Michigan Gaming Control Board(MGCB) announced that it anticipates receiving approximately $51 million in funding for Fiscal Year 2024. This budget allocation is meant to support the MGCB in its efforts to combat illegal gambling, monitor the market, and promote responsible gambling initiatives, including the “Don’t Regret the Bet” campaign.

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The campaign, backed by the National Council on Problem Gambling, seeks to heighten public awareness of problem gambling and boost support for prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

The Silver State Acts Hesitantly on Problem Gambling

It similarly seeks to connect people who may need such services to the available options. Commenting on the upcoming month and the state of the state in Nevada, the International Problem Gambling Center’s (IPGC) Elizabeth Evans has expressed concerns about whether enough has been done.

At least in the Silver State. Evans has lived experience with addiction, making her uniquely suited to understand the grueling self-flagellation that gambling addicts go through, to speak nothing of mounting debt.

IPGC Executive Director Stephanie Goodman is similarly concerned about whether enough people are getting the message. Yet, she also seems moderately optimistic. Speaking to 8newsnow, Goodman finds reasons to be upbeat.

“What happens here is I think a space of hope,” she explains. Yet, there is an underlying trend that cannot be simply ignored. For starters, Nevada is not nearly doing enough. This opinion is shared by the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling counselor Ted Hartwell who echoes those concerns.

The Silver State has indeed been slower to respond to the need to muster more efforts – private and public – to address the issue of problem gambling. Lawmakers have already agreed to spend $2.2 million on problem gambling in 2024, but this may be insufficient to accomplish the task at hand, which is to spread awareness, and importantly – to offer treatment services to individuals who are already suffering.

There have been all sorts of calls to help bolster awareness. Goodman for one has criticized the lack of similar awareness for responsible gambling, or a sufficient chunk of the big events driving the state’s revenue being allocated to helping people who are suffering from gambling proliferation.

Funding Missing the Main Problem

According to UNLV’s International Gaming Institute Distinguished Fellow Alan Feldman was similarly concerned about how Nevada is addressing what is a growing problem not just in the state, but all across the nation. According to Feldman, efforts to fight back against gambling addiction ought to start in school already, citing evidence from other jurisdictions.

Feldman similarly cautioned that there is a gap in the understanding of problem gambling and more study of the issue is necessary. This underlying challenge comes amid the fact that Nevada may have more people who need and are even interested in assistance than there is funding to cover. Nevada is not alone in underfunding problem gambling safeguards, as Washington D.C. fully did away with it.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, there have been strong voices in support of doing more to protect consumers. This is good news. Now the money needs to be mustered for tangible results to materialize.

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The gambling regulator in Michigan, the Michigan Gaming Control Board (MGCB), strengthened its efforts toward safer gambling by introducing a new problem gambling helpline. The Board confirmed the launch of 1-800-GAMBLER, a new gambling helpline that is operated by the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG). As a result, Michigan joins a growing network of states where 1-800-GAMBLER, the National Problem Gambling Helpline, is available.

Residents from Michigan who are suffering from problem gambling, at-risk gambling, as well as their families, can call the gambling helpline and receive information, support or resources. Such callers can be referred to local treatment or professional support, an effort that reaffirms MGCB’s dedication to a safer gambling environment.

Besides a call, residents can also chat with an expert online via 1800gamblerchat.org or send a text at 800GAM. The new 1-800-GAMBLER helpline will replace the current Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline available at 1-800-270-7117. Still, the aforementioned number will continue to operate as before. Callers of 1-800-GAMBLER can reach vetted and trained experts 24/7, 365 days a year and receive information, support and guidance.

According to a statement released by the gambling regulator, operators in Michigan will be required to display the new 1-800-GAMBLER number within their responsible gaming messages. The online gambling operators are given a deadline of August 8, 2024, to update their campaigns and include the new problem gambling helpline.

Estimates of the NCPG reveal that approximately 2 million adults across the country are suffering from problem gambling. Additionally, between 4 and 6 million others may be impacted by problem gambling, including at-risk or compulsive gambling. The Council estimated that the social cost of problem gambling is an estimated $7 billion annually.

NCPG Applauds the Adoption of the Gambling Helpline

Keith Whyte, NCPG’s executive director, spoke about the importance of the helpline for problem gambling. He explained that the line helps people across the country receive relevant information and gain access to support. “We applaud MGCB for taking proactive efforts to address the needs of those affected by problem gambling and for recognizing the significance of promoting 1-800-GAMBLER in Michigan,” said Whyte in conclusion.

“By adopting 1-800-GAMBLER as the statewide problem gambling helpline, the MGCB reinforces its commitment to ensuring a safe and secure gaming environment for players across the state by ensuring that resources for treatment and recovery can be accessed quickly and easily.“

Henry Williams, executive director of the MGCB

Henry Williams, MGCB’s executive director, also highlighted the efficiency of the problem gambling helpline that connects people affected by gambling to trained experts who provide confidential support, resources and assistance. Finally, he said that implementation of the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline in Michigan reaffirms the gambling regulator’s dedication toward a safer gambling sector.

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Commenting on his LinkedIn page, Cory Brown, manager of problem gambling services at Ohio Casino Control Commission, has confirmed that the regulator is stepping up in providing local players with further safeguards.

Ohio Unflattering in its Commitment to Tackling Problem Gambling

One of the most challenging issues in terms of recovery from gambling addiction is the financial ramifications of reckless spending. This significant weight has been ignored by most healthcare providers worldwide, but Ohio intends to stay at the cutting edge of problem gambling help by addressing the taxing issue headlong.

Following the introduction of Time Out Ohio with the help of Gamban, a software dedicated to excluding players and preventing them from gambling, Ohio has now teamed up with GamFin, a company that specifically focuses on bringing together various professionals who can help better understand how gambling harm works and the financial implications of addiction, along with tested methodology that helps victims and vulnerable consumers recover and maintain their recovery.

People who get help in Ohio because of their gambling addiction will now also have access to financial counselors who can help them tackle this matter by looking into the unique financial circumstances of each problem gambler and charting a way forward. As Brown puts it, “GamFin can help you carry the load.”

Taking on the Most Challenging Aspects of Addiction

GamFin’s staff are trained financial counselors who can act as personal finance subject-matter experts, Brown shared, optimistically adding:

GamFin’s counselors are available both to individual clients and to treatment providers, helping you tackle financial questions and develop solutions to get back on track.

Cory Brown

Ohio is showing a very high commitment to tackling responsible gambling at a time when some jurisdictions, including Washington D.C. are actually cutting the budget allocated to problem gamblers.

In the meantime, Ohio is also trying to minimize harm in other ways, one of which is by restricting the number of advertisements and the connection between promotional offers and non-gambling transactions. This has been criticized by local operators. In truth, the move is unorthodox and Ohio is showing a much greater-than-average involvement in the fate of problem gamblers in the United States, a country which is right now going through a growth spurt

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Gambling addiction in the United States is getting more and more serious as calls to get the situation under control grow louder. The Guardian spoke with experts who highlighted America’s concerns about the young people exposed to harm.

Gambling organizations across the US have noticed a concerning number of teen and young adult patients seeking help.

New Jersey, which has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to gambling, is currently dealing with an influx of harmed young patients. According to the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey, the number of requests for support has more than doubled since 2018. This was also echoed by UCLA, which has been evaluating the trend.

Many believe that the convenience mobile gambling provides has made it very appealing to young people Brad Ruderman, of the Beit T’Shuvah treatment center in Los Angeles noted that this would be the first generation to grow with mobile gambling.

Keith Whyte, the National Council on Problem Gambling’s executive director, asked a room of 40 17-year-old boys in Virginia how many had sports betting apps on their phones. Thirty-six boys admitted to having one, further supporting T’Shuvah’s claim.

Experts believe that young people, whose brains are still developing, might be much more susceptible to gambling’s tricks of attracting customers.

Arnie Wexler, a counselor, fears that America might be “killing its youth.”

The Situation Is Bad But Not Hopeless

Rick Benson, the founder of the Algamus treatment facility in Goodyear, Arizona, believes that America might be headed into a “gambling addiction quagmire if not crisis.” He said that the nonstop betting opportunities provided by the local mobile operators are simply too convenient.

Another aspect is peer and commercial pressure, Shekhar Saxena, ex-director at the WHO, believes. He pointed out that younger people easily influence one another, exacerbating the problem.

For reference, in 2018 only 11.5% of the people who contacted New Jersey’s gambling support services admitted they were under 25. During the first 10 months of 2023, this number had increased to 19.6%.

Luckily, the younger generation is more likely to seek help, according to UCLA’s co-director of the gambling studies program, Timothy Fong. The stigma among them is not so serious suggesting that there might be hope for solving the issue.

The Guardian also spoke with Amanda Blackford, director of operations and problem gambling services at the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Commenting on the rising harm rates that followed the recent legalization of sports betting, Blackford said that problem gambling will always exist, so it is important to help as many people as possible.

Many Believe Tougher Regulations Are Needed

In the meantime, calls to better regulate the sports betting sector have increased. While many states now offer gambling, some believe that few of them are sufficiently engaged in the protection of customers.

Felicia Grondin, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling, is one of the many supporters of restrictions on gambling ads. Ads are already talked about a lot in other modern markets as many believe that exposure leads to more harm.

WHO’s Saxena, on the other hand, said that operators themselves should not exploit their consumers’ vulnerabilities. Saxena thinks that allowing the customers to choose how often and how much to wager is not enough.

The industry, however, argues that an overwhelming majority of consumers wager safely. According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), legal operators offer a number of important safeguards to keep players safe.

Overregulation, on the other hand, risks channeling people toward the black market, which offers few, if any, of these safety measures. The AGA urged for further research before proceeding with overregulation.

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GambleAware’s newest initiative seeks to dismantle the prevailing stigma around problem gambling by urging individuals affected to break their silence and speak openly about their struggles. PayPlan’s support will significantly bolster the leading charity’s efforts, raising awareness and lending its knowledge on problem gambling.

Stigma Can Harm Addiction Recovery

GambleAware’s research highlighted the societal perception of gambling harm, indicating that three in five individuals tend to judge people struggling with gambling issues. The charity’s recent findings revealed that a staggering 64% of adults who encountered gambling-related problems have never discussed their challenges. 39%– a significant proportion- attributed this silence to the pervasive stigma surrounding gambling harm.

PayPlan’s independent research into problem gambling confirms these issues, uncovering that 30% of its clients felt gambling negatively impacted their mental health. However, GambleAware’s data contains some positive takeaways, as 76% of those who did open up about their gambling issues reported feeling better after discussing their concerns with someone.

Tackling the pervasive stigma surrounding problem gambling is one of GambleAware’s primary goals. The charity held a similar campaign in April, featuring TV host Tyler West, health professionals, and lived experience individuals. Encouragingly, the latest data shows a promising 56% who agree on the importance of challenging the stigma associated with gambling harm.

Collaboration Remains Instrumental to Success

Zoë Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, expressed delight in partnering with PayPlan for this campaign, envisioning collaborative efforts to encourage individuals affected by gambling harm to share their experiences and feel secure when doing so. She emphasized the complex and concealed nature of gambling harm, making it challenging to detect when someone might need help.

It is critical that when accessing financial services… people feel they can talk openly about the issues they may be experiencing and are made aware of the support services available.

Zoë Osmond, GambleAware CEO 

Charity GamCare, part of the National Gambling Support Network, highlighted the correlation between harmful gambling and financial debt, lauding PayPlan’s contribution to combating this issue. PayPlan vulnerability lead Emma Gibbons drew attention to the organization’s tailored pathways into debt advice. She also emphasized the need for public awareness and partnerships within the financial services sector to discuss gambling-related issues.

It’s important that we increase conversations around gambling harm and make sure that people have a better perception of those experiencing gamble-related debt.

Emma Gibbons, PayPlan vulnerability lead

The collaboration between PayPlan and GambleAware is a testament to their commitment to creating a supportive environment where individuals feel empowered to discuss gambling harm without fear of judgment and seek assistance to overcome such challenges. However, their efforts must also coincide with concerted government efforts to combat the root cause of such issues and encourage meaningful change.

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According to The Gambling Atlas report based on data that was compiled in 2021, around one-third of German adults engage in a form of gambling. 

While the report presented by Germany’s federal drugs commissioner, Burkhard Blienert, at the start of the week marked a decrease compared to the 55% figure that was determined 14 years earlier, in 2007, it also revealed a series of disturbing data. 

7.7% of German Adults Deal with Gambling Addiction Problems

According to the report that was published jointly by the Institute for Interdisciplinary Addiction and Drug Research in Hamburg, the German Centre for Addiction Issues based in Hamm, and the Gambling Research Department part of the University of Bremen, 7.7% of Germans over the age of 18 experience social, financial, or health distresses tied to their gambling addiction. 

In other words, there are currently around 1.3 million adults suffering from a gambling disorder.

Commissioner Blienert argued that gambling “rarely makes participants happy” while also mentioning that an additional 3.3 million German adults are currently showing the first signs that would indicate they are likely to suffer from gambling addiction in the future. 

Using the voice of Christina Rummel, the German Center for Addiction Issues also expressed its opinion on gambling, calling it “a disease.”

Who Is More Prone to Deal with Gambling Problems 

The same report offered a comprehensive overview of the way young adults and men aged between 21 and 35 are more susceptible to dealing with gambling problems. 

The same risk was identified in the case of individuals suffering from psychological disorders as well as people who consume large amounts of alcohol.

Another category at risk of tackling problem gambling issues is represented by migrants who, as explained by gambling expert Tobias Hayer via Germany’s Catholic News Agency, use gambling as self-medication to handle trauma, financial struggles, or the feeling of being marginalized by other members of society.

Finally, the COVID-19 pandemic contributed to the rise in the number of gambling addicts. The report explained this through the vulnerable categories of individuals who were suddenly forced to isolate themselves and deal with financial problems. 

Besides the classic slot machines located in gaming arcades and halls, the same report mentioned the rise in live sports wagering as an important element that leads to gambling addictions.

Betting on soccer is one particularly problematic issue, especially in the context of popular betting company BWIN inking a large number of partnerships with the German Football Association and important soccer clubs in the country, including Borussia Dortmund and Dynamo Dresden.

Former goalkeeper, captain, and CEO for Bayern Munich, Oliver Kahn, was also appointed as the public face of Ticipco, another popular sports betting company in Germany, for eight years in a row starting in 2012.

Commissioner Blienert issued a warning regarding the perils of trivializing gambling by connecting it with live sports while also asking for more restrictions. For the time being, it is almost impossible to watch live soccer in the country without being subject to adverts tied to betting.

The Commissioner asked for a TV ban on gambling advertising prior to 11 pm, in spite of the industry reaching massive gross revenue figures of €13.4 billion ($14.3 billion) in 2022 and €5.2 billion reaching the state’s treasury in the form of taxes in 2021.

At the end of September, Germany’s gambling regulator presented information regarding the measures that are meant to keep online players protected from gambling addiction and harm. 

During the same time, regulations in relation to loot boxes in video games reached the national parliament. Members of the parliament from different parties expressed support for more restrictive regulations that should be imposed on the mechanics to cut the risk of gambling addiction.

The previous month, the association of sports betting providers in the country criticized the misinterpretation of data in regard to problem gambling as represented by a 2021 Gambling Survey. 

The Deutsche Sportwettenverband commented on the way the number of people identified as problem gamblers was presented in the media. 

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Efforts toward responsible gambling over the last few years across North America have expanded. Amid the growing popularity of online gambling and sports betting, a need is observed in education on the risks of gambling and the promotion of responsible gambling tools such as deposit limits or spending limits, among other methods that seek to reduce at-risk or problem gambling.

Recently, one of Canada’s thirteen provinces, Prince Edward Island (PEI), launched a new website that underlines its commitment to responsible gambling. The website of the PEI Department of Health and Wellness offers support for people suffering from problem gambling or at-risk gambling, providing information along with a toll-free line for anyone who wishes to speak to a professional.

The website reveals that there are nearly 10 signs that people can identify they are suffering from a gambling addiction. Notably, two signs stand out as the most important and apply to people who cannot control how much money or time they spend on gambling. On the other hand, people who continuously engage in gambling activities knowing that they lose money or cause harm to their families may also be suffering from problem gambling, according to the website.

Website Needs to Offer More Resources, Information

While the new website of the Department of Health and Wellness reaffirms PEI’s commitment toward responsible gambling, an expert on gambling addiction said that more needs to be done. As announced by CBC News, Elizabeth Stephen, a Halifax-based counseling therapist who specializes in providing support to people affected by problem gambling, the website is a “missed opportunity” for the province. She criticized the information shared via the new website, claiming that more resources need to be available for individuals from the province who seek help due to a gambling-related issue.

According to Stephen, the successful reduction of problem gambling would also mean reducing the profits from the activity. She was baffled by the links the new website offered to Atlantic Lotto, outlining that businesses or organizations that benefit from gambling activities should not be referenced via a website that seeks to reduce gambling harm. Stephen explained: “It’s a hard choice, you know, to reduce harm. It means that the profit’s going to be reduced.”

The Canadian Center on Substance Use and Addiction recently outlined its Lower-Risk Gambling Guidelines, describing in detail how individuals can reduce their expenses related to gambling. While those guidelines clearly reveal what percentage of their income can different individuals spend on gambling monthly depending on their annual income, this is not the case for the new PEI website, warned Stephen.

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In a recent meeting of Maryland’s Joint Audit and Evaluation Committee, legislators delved into the topic of problem gambling, specifically focusing on the potential impact of legalizing online casinos in the state. 

Experts Raise Alarms over Problem Gambling Surge

While retail sports betting was launched in Maryland in December 2021, mobile sports betting platforms were introduced a year later, raising concerns among experts and lawmakers about the surge in problem gambling cases.

Mary Drexler, the program director for the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, expressed her apprehension about the rapid expansion of online and mobile gambling, reported Maryland Matters. Drexler highlighted the growing number of calls, texts, and chats received by their helpline, indicating a demographic shift toward younger adults, especially minority males, seeking help for gambling-related issues.

Amidst these concerns, some state legislators have been advocating for the legalization of online casinos. Although legislation introduced during the 2023 session did not progress significantly, lawmakers agreed to commission a study on the feasibility of iCasinos in Maryland. This report, due by November 15, is expected to provide insights into the potential revenue that online casino gaming could generate for the state.

However, the prospect of introducing online casinos has raised worries about cannibalizing revenue from brick-and-mortar casinos, impacting the state’s Problem Gambling Fund. Currently, funding for problem gambling initiatives primarily comes from traditional table games and slot machines, with sports betting tax revenue not allocated for problem gambling research.

Senator Lam Proposes Funding Solution for Problem Gambling

Senator Clarence Lam voiced his concerns about the potential implications of online gaming, emphasizing the need for careful consideration. Despite these concerns, industry analysts like Matt Roob from Spectrum Gaming indicated that states with both online and physical casinos have not shown significant evidence of revenue cannibalization.

One possible solution discussed during the meeting was allocating a specific percentage of tax revenue from online casinos to the Problem Gambling Fund. This approach could potentially address concerns about funding shortages for problem gambling treatment and support services.

In July, a report exposed Maryland’s concerning struggle to support individuals grappling with gambling addiction, revealing that 8.6% of the state’s adults suffered from a gambling disorder in 2020, double the national average. While Maryland’s spending on safe gambling initiatives matches other states, it falls short, leading to a gap between affected individuals and available support. 

The state’s reliance on alternative revenue streams like expired prizes highlights the challenge. The potential introduction of iGaming exacerbates the situation, demanding urgent action, including enhanced treatment options, heightened awareness, and comprehensive collaboration, to address the alarming issue effectively.

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