Adam Roarty is a journalist covering sports betting, regulation, and industry innovation for CasinoBeats. His coverage includes tax increases in the UK, covering breaking stories in the ever-evolving landscape of US betting such as the...
Read Full BioNew research has shown that sports betting is linked with a range of social problems, including increased aggression and alcohol consumption.
A study published last month examined the impact of legal sports betting on aggression across the US. The researchers found that violent crime rates have increased in states that have legalized sports betting. In particular, assaults rose 93% after unexpected home team outcomes.
Another study also shows that sports bettors are more likely to drink alcohol than non-sports gamblers.
While the correlations are not causations, researchers have suggested that lawmakers should be aware of the links between sports betting and other high-risk behaviors. While some states are considering the legalization of sports betting, others are regretting having passed legislation.
Ohio’s Governor Mike DeWine recently said the state should not have allowed wagering on sports and is attempting to place restrictions on the types of bets gamblers can place.
Impact of Legalized Sports Betting on Aggression
Hua Gong, assistant professor of sport analytics at Rice University and co-author of the study on The Impact of Legalized Sports Betting on Aggression, commented, “Legal betting brings in revenue, but there are serious social consequences we cannot ignore. Lawmakers should consider safeguards, better consumer protections, and public awareness efforts as the industry continues to expand.”
Gong’s research, in collaboration with Wenche Wang, analyzed incident data from 2017 to 2021. The path for legal sports betting was cleared by the PASPA ruling in 2018.
Data showed that crime increases 30-70% from the start of a game through four hours after its conclusion in states that legalized sports betting. The biggest rise in violent crime was after a home team unexpectedly lost.
Spillover effects also appear in neighboring states even when those states have not legalized betting. Gong stated, “What surprised us most was that the increase in crime isn’t limited to states that legalize sports gambling. Even neighboring states that do not allow betting see more crime on game days, likely because people travel to place bets and then return home.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors noted that betting-related aggression in early adopting states primarily stemmed from emotional cues related to financial loss. Post-pandemic, this shifted to non-financial factors, particularly the stressfulness of the game itself. The authors interpret this as bettors increasingly wagering on more unpredictable contests.
Sports Bettors Drink While Gambling
Meanwhile, researchers at the University of New Mexico and Nevada published a study looking at the differences in alcohol frequency while gambling among sports versus non-sports gamblers. The authors found that sports gamblers report far higher alcohol consumption while gambling than non-sports gamblers.
Previous research has also found riskier forms of sports betting, such as in-play betting, to be associated with increased alcohol use. New Jersey this week held discussions on legislation that proposes banning micro betting, which involves wagering on the next action in a live sport, such as the next pitch in baseball or play in the NFL.
The argument against micro betting is that it encourages fast-paced gambling akin to slot machines. Jean Swain from the Council on Compulsive Gambling in New Jersey (CCGNJ) commented, “These high-frequency wagers from every player action can trigger instant dopamine releases in the brain’s reward system, fostering compulsive behaviors that can develop into serious addiction.”
Swain cited her own struggles with gambling and, from her experience, said gamblers need time to take a step back to collect their senses. She added, “We need to have a way to slow down. And if it’s in our face continuously, while we are feeling the action, we will continue to reach for it. We have to be able to breathe in between hits, just at least a breath.”
Alcohol Can Fuel Gambling Addiction, Recovery is Possible
When combined with alcohol, it may be particularly easy for sports bettors to lose control. Former Premier League soccer player Clarke Carlisle revealed his struggles with alcohol and gambling addiction this week, which left him suicidal. Speaking on the Listen Up podcast, Carlisle said he used alcohol as an escape, and it fueled his gambling sessions.
He previously said, “Gambling can very, very quickly spiral and affect many different areas of your life. It’s a never-ending chase of wins and losses: it becomes incredibly draining.”
Research has frequently shown that one addiction can feed into another. Carlisle now speaks on the need for addicts to seek help to control their vices. Recovering gambling addict Noah Vineberg also spoke with CasinoBeats this week about how he was able to overcome his gambling addiction and insists that “Recovery is the greatest gift you will give yourself.”
