Sports Betting Addiction Statistics
Sports betting is the most addictive form of gambling, according to numerous studies.
According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, the rate of gambling problems among sports bettors is at least twice as high as among gamblers in general.
The accessibility of betting apps, like DraftKings, FanDuel and Bet365, exacerbates addiction. Online sports betting is sanctioned by more than 30 states in the U.S.
When sports betting is conducted on computers and mobile devices, the rate of disordered gambling is as high as 16%, with another 13% of online sports bettors showing signs of compulsive gambling but not yet meeting the clinical criteria for disordered gambling.
Roughly 30% of online sports bettors experience gambling problems, according to the NCPG in September 2023. The rate of sports betting addiction is inching up every year.
Betting Addiction Varies By Sport
Not all sports are the same when it comes to compulsive gambling. The NFL is by far the most popular sports league for gambling in the U.S., so it fuels the most problems.
The NFL has the most hardcore fans among the American pro leagues, and dangerous binge drinking is also part of the football fan culture.
According to a study from Optimove, as many as 45% of NFL bettors reported losing more than they could afford. Losing more than you intended is a core sign of a gambling problem, potentially putting someone on the path to a full-fledged gambling disorder.
The rate of problem gambling among NFL bettors is likely much higher than the 30% for sports betting broadly. People who bet exclusively on tennis, for example, have a lower rate of compulsive gambling than football gamblers. Still, most bettors wager on multiple sports.
NFL football wagering is the most risky form of gambling for many sports fans.
Around 5% of all in-game NFL advertisements are for sports gambling, according to 2024 reporting from the Associated Press. The percentage, which the NFL has tried to keep relatively low, will likely inch up over time as sports betting becomes even more normalized. Still, the ads help fuel NFL betting addiction among millions of fans.
The 2024 Super Bowl featured three sports betting commercials, an unpleasant situation for people trying to enjoy the game without the influence of gambling.
Deeper Dive Into Problem Sports Betting Numbers
In early January 2024, a survey was conducted to shed more detailed light on problem sports betting behaviors gripping the U.S., particularly among younger people.
The study, the American Sport Fanship Survey conducted by the Siena College Research Institute in partnership with St. Bonaventure University's Jandoli School of Communication, provided worrying signs of growing online sports betting addiction in the U.S.
The survey was conducted Jan. 2-7, 2024, and it featured 3,071 U.S. residents. Responses were recorded by age group and other demographics. The most hardcore online sports bettors are between 18 and 34 years old, so we will highlight data from that age group.
Here are the online betting findings that GamblingHarm.org finds most important:
56% of all online sports bettors and 66% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 bet against their favorite team in an attempt to win money
80% of all online bettors and 82% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 think they can make money in the long term by betting
53% of all online sports bettors and 61% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 have chased losses, a core sign of gambling problem
24% of all online sports bettors and 30% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 have bet $500 or more in a single day
22% of all online sports bettors and 30% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 reported that someone they know has expressed concern about their sports gambling
19% of all online sports bettors and 23% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 have lied to someone about the extent of their betting
38% of all online sports bettors and 45% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 have bet more than they felt they should have
18% of all online sports bettors and 22% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 have reported losing a bet that makes it difficult meeting their financial obligations
37% of all online sports bettors and 44% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 reported that they have felt bad or ashamed after losing an online sports bet
9% of all online sports bettors 13% of online sports bettors aged 18-34 have called a problem gambling helpline or sought other help to control their gambling
15% of people and 22% of 18-34 year olds know someone with a betting problem
Based on the survey findings, younger sports bettors have more pervasive signs of a full-blown or developing gambling problem than older age groups.
Neuroscience research suggests that a person’s brain doesn’t fully develop until their mid-20s, making youth particularly vulnerable to problem gambling. Teens who gamble are four times more likely to develop a gambling problem later in life than teens who don’t gamble, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Bottom Line
State-sanctioned online sports betting has been available since 2018, so it’s still the early days of this growing industry. We are still learning about the rates of addiction among online sports bettors, particularly among vulnerable teens and young adults.
While the legal age for online sports betting is 21 in nearly every state that sanctions the activity, many underage sports gamblers report using a family member’s account.
A storm of sports gambling addiction is brewing in the U.S.
Some people may develop a gambling problem after just a few betting experiences, while for others it might creep on slowly and take months to years to become a problem.
We expect online sports betting addiction rates to increase over time.
What we do know now is that online sports betting is already causing an epidemic of addiction among people who partake in it. It’s only the beginning.
There are many reasons why you shouldn’t bet on sports.
Problem Sports Betting FAQ
How Addictive is Sports Betting?
Studies show that sports betting is the most addictive form of gambling. While it’s not the most popular form of gambling, individuals who bet on sports bet show signs of problem gambling more frequently than any other gambling cohort. The rate of problem gambling among sports bettors is double the rate among gamblers in general, according to the NCPG.
How Many People Have a Sports Betting Addiction?
As many as 64.5 million people in the U.S. gamble on sports at least once a year, according to statistics from Pew Research and the American Gaming Association. The rate of problem gambling among sports betting is 29%, according to the NCPG. Based on these findings, as many as 18.7 million people experience a problem when they bet on sports.
What Percentage of Sports Bettors Win?
Sports bettors can win some bets, but nearly all bettors fail to make money in the long run. In the short or medium term, it’s possible to win more often than you lose, but over time you will lose money on sports betting rather than earn money. It’s virtually impossible to earn a reliable income from sports betting, due also to the industry practice of limiting winners.
Image by Pixabay.
This article was originally published on May 27, 2024 by GamblingHarm.