Five Facts About Gambling You Might Not Know
Published: December 23, 2024
Today’s culture is immersed in gambling. It’s on mobile apps. It’s embedded in video games. It’s a part of sports culture. And if you’ve scrolled on social media, listened to a podcast, or browsed YouTube lately, chances are you’ve encountered advertisements about it.
In fact, a study published earlier this year found that the average sports fan spends up to 20 percent of every game watching gambling ads. That’s about 2.8 gambling messages every minute!
While gambling is an entertaining hobby for many, a growing number of health experts are learning more about the risks involved for some individuals. Here are five lesser-known facts that are important to know if you choose to bet.
- People who bet on sports are at least twice as likely to binge drink compared to non-gamblers. Moreover, the rate of binge drinking (four to five drinks during one occasion) increases with the frequency of gambling, with men and women who gamble daily being at least 8.9 times more likely. Some experts suggest that when a gambling disorder co-occurs with another disorder, such as an alcohol or substance use disorder, the two disorders can reinforce each other, creating a complicated cycle.
- Two to seven percent of young people in the U.S. have a gambling disorder, compared to just one percent of adults. In Ohio, about 15 percent of youth ages 12 to 17 gamble even though the legal age is 21, and three percent of them experience negative consequences of gambling. If you’re a parent or caregiver, talking to your child about the risks of youth gambling and offering support make all the difference.
- Gambling is linked to the highest suicide rate among all behavioral health disorders, as one in five people experiencing a gambling disorder consider dying by suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. It’s available 24/7 via call, text, or online chat.
- An international commission recently determined that gambling is a threat to public health. Beyond common risks like financial loss, the study found that gambling can impact a person’s health, lead to employment loss, and heighten the risk of domestic violence. The report calls for stronger public protections from gambling harms.
- Studies suggest sports betting ads increase the likelihood of future bets. According to a 2023 NCAA study, 58 percent of college students living on campus say they’re more likely to bet after seeing an ad. Further, on-campus college students see betting ads at higher rates than the general population. This is concerning, considering college students already gamble at higher rates than the general population.
Also, only one in five people with a gambling disorder seek treatment. So it’s important to recognize the signs of a gambling disorder and seek help if you or someone you know needs it.
To do that, you can make the call to the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline now. Trained and understanding specialists are available 24/7 to take your call, with no strings attached. Call 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741. Ohio also now offers virtual telehealth services at no cost through the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network.