Attitudes Toward Gambling in Ohio Shift as Harms Become Harder to Ignore

Ohio’s sentiment toward online sports betting has shifted significantly since the state legalized the practice two years ago. Sports wagering arrived in 2023 with confetti, celebrity ads, and promises of new tax revenue. However, it now faces rising scrutiny by public health experts, lawmakers, and even the governor who signed the legislation, as the social cost of widespread betting settles in.

New Data Reveals Concerning Trends

Kelley Breidigan, an assistant clinical professor at Ohio State’s College of Social Work, discussed the situation for the Ohio Capital Journal. She noted that the spread of online wagering has increased demand for treatment. Studies by UCLA confirm these observations, finding that the ease of online betting is harming consumer financial health.

Researchers found that legalized and regulated sports betting correlates with a fall in average credit scores and rising financial stress indicators across the entire population, not just among bettors. These trends become more pronounced with the introduction of online wagering. Bankruptcy filings, debt sent to collections, and auto loan delinquencies all increased in states that launched mobile wagering.

These results indicate that the ease of access to sports gambling is harming consumer financial health by increasing their level of debt.

UCLA report

Ohio’s own early statistics reinforce these findings. During the first month of legalized betting, the United Way of Greater Cleveland noted that gambling-related calls to its helpline increased by 277% compared to the previous year. According to state authorities, 255,000 Ohio residents currently meet the criteria for problem gamblers.

Recent Scandals Added Fuel to the Fire

Recent sports scandals further turned the public opinion against gambling. When two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were swept into a high-profile Major League Baseball case last month, Governor Mike DeWine publicly expressed regret for approving sports betting at all. Such match-fixing allegations have led the MLB to ban micro and prop bets, which have proven especially problematic.

Breidigan argues that the industry’s aggressive advertising has helped normalize gambling. A barrage of celebrity-driven campaigns portrays betting as a natural part of being a fan. She notes that this carefully curated image masks the risks long enough for many people to find themselves in trouble before they recognize the signs.

It is so easy for people to just pick up their phone and make a bet. That has had a severe impact on individuals and families.

Kelley Breidigan, Ohio State’s College of Social Work assistant clinical professor

Fortunately for anti-wagering advocates, online gaming in Ohio is unlikely to materialize, as recent bills to bring iGaming to the state collapsed under heavy resistance from health and religious groups. However, one thing is becoming clear: the hype surrounding online sports wagering is cooling as the social implications become increasingly harder to ignore.