Massachusetts Sees Concerning Rise in Problem Gambling

According to recent research from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, monthly gamblers in Massachusetts are experiencing greater engagement in sports betting, more intense gambling activity, and an increase in gambling-related harms. The legalization of sports betting in the state has been partially blamed for this trend.

Study Finds Concerning Trends Among Massachusetts Gamblers

Rachel Volberg, an epidemiology researcher and principal investigator for SEIGMA, presented the survey findings to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) on July 31. She highlighted a significant shift in gamblers’ perceptions of the activity. Survey data showed that the proportion of monthly gamblers who believe gambling causes more harm than good increased from 48% in 2022 to 53% in 2023 and early 2024, rising further to 56% by fall 2024.

Volberg partly attributed this change in perception to the intense media coverage and aggressive marketing campaigns that began before legalization and have persisted since. Researchers also observed a consistent rise in the number of individuals experiencing gambling problems. The portion climbed from 20.9% in 2022 to 25.6% in 2023, and reached 28% by fall 2024.

Financial difficulties among monthly gamblers also increased significantly, growing from 18% in 2022 to 25% in 2024. Harms related to relationships and family saw an even steeper rise, nearly doubling from 13.9% to 27.2% over the same period.

It’s also interesting to note that despite the overall increase in harmful gambling habits in the state, Massachusetts reported lower betting results for June compared to previous months.

Why Is This the Case?

The legalization of sports betting has clearly impacted gambling behavior. Overall participation in sports betting among all survey respondents rose from 16.7% in March 2022 (before legalization) to 26.9% in March 2023, increasing further to 32.6% in 2024. Informal or social sports betting (wagering casually with friends or family) declined significantly, dropping from 49.3% of monthly gamblers in 2022 to 32.2% by fall 2024. Volberg noted that the trends among monthly gamblers in the online surveys are moving in a concerning direction, raising serious questions about the broader impacts of legalized sports betting on the general population.

Meanwhile, legal betting through licensed sportsbooks in Massachusetts became increasingly common. This shift coincided with a decline in the exclusive use of illegal sports betting platforms, which fell from 13.5% in 2022 to 6.8% in 2023, before rising slightly to 8.3% in 2024.

The report highlighted the importance of implementing targeted harm reduction strategies and expanding access to tools that support responsible gambling, especially for those dealing with financial difficulties or relationship issues.