Massachusetts Study Finds Rise in Gambling Problems Among Frequent Bettors

A new study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst shows a worrying uptick in gambling issues among frequent gamblers in Massachusetts, especially those who bet each month or more often. 

SEIGMA Research Finds Gambling Problems Surge to 25.6% Among Monthly Gamblers

The research, which is part of the ongoing Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) project, discovered a notable rise in how people gamble and negative attitudes towards gambling.

Rachel Volberg, a research professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and lead investigator of SEIGMA, showed the results to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. The study reveals that the share of monthly gamblers facing gambling issues has doubled, jumping from 12.7% in 2014 to 25.6% in 2023. These figures stand out when compared to the steady 2% rate of problem gambling found in general population surveys before and after the state introduced casinos.

The researchers carried out the study using online surveys in 2014, 2022, and 2023 targeting regular gamblers. Volberg pointed out that although the online panels did not represent the whole population, they offered useful insights into the actions and views of people who are more likely to have gambling issues.

Notably, at the beginning of October, Massachusetts gaming officials launched a long-awaited initiative aimed at addressing problem gambling. 

Sports Betting Spikes in Massachusetts, Public Health Concerns Follow

The study’s main discovery shows a clear rise in different types of gambling, like betting on sports, playing the lottery, wagering on horse races, and gambling online. Surveys point out that while COVID-19 at first slowed down some gambling activities, its effect has now worn off for people who are more likely to have gambling problems. 

Sports betting, in particular, has seen a big jump. The number of people who gamble and bet on sports went up from 18.8% in 2022 to 28.3% in 2023, which was the year after Massachusetts made sports betting legal.

The rise in gambling issues has come with a change in people’s views. More frequent gamblers now think gambling is bad for you, and many point to gambling addiction as a big downside of casinos. On the flip side, fewer people see jobs as a main plus of casinos or think all kinds of gambling should be legal.

Volberg said some of these shifts might be because of all the ads and news about making sports betting legal. She pointed out that this media spotlight could have pulled people who are hooked back into gambling making existing problems worse.

The results have sparked worries about how sports betting legalization might affect public health in Massachusetts over time. In other recent news, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced a $3.1 million investment to prevent youth gambling issues, with funds supporting a variety of programs.