Addiction to Betting Rising among Young People in Arizona

Arizona was among the states that launched legal sports betting several years ago, in 2021. The state currently offers options for retail and mobile sports wagering. There are currently more than two dozen retail betting outlets as well as more than a dozen betting operators, with the list including leaders such as FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Caesars, among others.

The growth in popularity of the activity helped push more young people than ever before into wagering on sports. This caused further issues as younger generations can get hooked up on gambling much faster, resulting in harm and problem gambling.

According to a new report, there’s a concerning trend that sees more young people engaging in sports betting. Ken Litwak, an executive director at Algamus, a residential gambling addiction treatment facility in Arizona, who was recently interviewed by 12News, revealed that some young people engage in wagering while still underage.

“They start gambling underage. They are gambling among their friends.“

Ken Litwak, executive director at Algamus

He said that the bettors “definitely start young,” explaining that such activities are initially conducted between friend groups. However, Litwak said that the statewide legalization of betting in Arizona “changed the field completely.”

In that context, the executive director said that talks about gambling harm with boomers and people around the age of 25 are quite different. Litwak said that in order to effectively support youngsters and help them overcome problem gambling, innovative approaches are required.

Douglas Martin, a peer counselor at Algamus and a recovered gambling addict, added that an overwhelming majority of the people seeking support and treatment are quite young. According to him, some 80% of the people at the recovery center are in their 20s.

The Ongoing Olympics Can Attract New Bettors

For many Arizona residents who turned 21, which is the legal gambling age, this year’s Olympic Games will be the first they can legally place bets on. The Olympics, which started on July 26, come during the summer months which are usually considered a slow period for sports across the United States.

Yet, the absence of some sports events will be filled with sports played during the Olympics. Whatever the case is, the Olympics will provide a boost for legal sportsbooks while at the same time attracting new bettors.

With only a dozen US states that currently do not offer legal wagering, a majority of the American population can place sports wagers on the Olympics. Still, the availability varies from state to state primarily due to the difference in regulations.