Missouri is set to become the latest state to launch legalized online sports gambling, with 10 licenses awarded, and companies such as Bet365, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fanatics, and others lining up at the doors.
Missouri’s Problem Gambling Must Be Addressed in Wake of Launch
Now, however, not everyone is excited about the launch per se, as they are concerned about the potential impact this mass legalization could have on vulnerable consumers.
Speaking to St. Louis Public Radio, Keith Spare, who is the chair of the Missouri Alliance to Curb Problem Gambling, said that the state is not prepared to deal with the ensuing wave of people who will realize that they are experiencing gambling-related problems and will need help.
“With sports betting, you’ll be able to place a bet from your bedroom, your living room chair, your car in the parking lot, on break at work, literally anytime of the day or night,” Spare cautioned.
Spare is not drawing on random data. Rather, Missouri, a state with 13 riverboat and land-based casinos, is already a place where people are struggling with gambling-related harm. According to Spare, citing official data, 60% of people in the state gamble, and 20% of those are experiencing gambling-related harm.
The introduction of online sports betting would only exacerbate the problem, according to Spare, who worries that there will be few available resources to deal with the ensuing issue. Presently, Missourians have several options to explore when looking for help.
They may call the Missouri Problem Gambling Helpline at 888-BETS-OFF/888-238-7633 on 24/7. They may also reach out to Gamblers Anonymous and enroll in the state’s Voluntary Exclusion Program, designed to restrict access to legal gambling options in the state.