Sports Betting And Its Influence On The Workplace 

Published: February 2, 2026

With March Madness approaching, you may notice coworkers becoming more social from all the festivities. However, the recent growth of sports betting in Ohio can lead to a number of issues within the workplace that are important to be aware of.

A study from Psychiatry MMC found that past-year job loss rates have been reported to be twice as high in individuals experiencing disordered gambling as compared to individuals engaging in recreational gambling (10% vs. 5%), which leads to a major loss of productivity for the companies involved. Since this season marks some big sporting events, knowing how your office can be impacted is important for everyone.

Gambling disorders can impact anyone. Office pools, prop bets, and super bowl squares are just a few of the ways a person can be introduced or validated by their gambling participation. Since offices operate differently than a person’s private social life, it’s vital that employers, human resource teams, as well as fellow employees be on the lookout for how a gambling disorder can appear in employees.

Signs to watch for
Here are a few workplace signs a person may be experiencing a gambling disorder:

• Deteriorating work performance: Expressing poor time management, such as forgetting tasks, missing deadlines, or having trouble concentrating in general.
• Increased absences: Data shows that those experiencing a gambling disorder have higher rates of unexplained absenteeism at work.
• Financial insecurity: Asking coworkers to borrow money or requesting a paycheck early can be an indicator of a financial strain stemming from gambling.
• Mood swings: Many people experiencing gambling disorders have attested to experiencing mood swings among other mental health concerns, like depression and anxiety. 
• Eagerness of group betting: Extra eagerness during conversations or activities surrounding betting could be a sign of a deeper issue related to gambling.
• Theft of company property: In moments of panic or distress, a person experiencing a gambling disorder may resort to illegal acts such as stealing office equipment to acquire cash.

For additional signs and impacts that office betting can have on individuals, check out the article “Problem Gambling and the Workplace” from Oregon’s Department of Human Services.

Along with knowing the signs to stay aware of, it’s important to consider ways you can help promote responsible gambling at your office. 

Ways to help
If you see an employee or coworker exhibiting multiple of the previous signs, communicate your concerns to your employer so that they can help handle the situation. And if you are an employer, here are ways you can support your employees:

• Perform a risk scan: Assess the office space for potential risks —  like office pools for sports events, card games during breaks, bingo or casino nights, and online gaming platforms on company devices.
• Communicate next-step options: Have a friendly conversation to provide options for help — like employee assistance programs (EAPs), treatment options, and even apps to ban online betting platforms.  
• Distribute toolkits in the office: Download and print our free toolkits to hand out information on responsible gambling. Or, visit the New York Council on Problem Gambling for their workplace-specific toolkit. 
• Reiterate workplace policy: Remind your employees what your expectations for betting-related activities are in your office. For instance, explain what types of gambling are and are not allowed as you would with a drug & alcohol policy.

Lastly, there are trained professionals that can handle the next steps. Let your employee know they can call the free and confidential Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-589-9966 or text 988 to get help from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7. Ohio also offers virtual telehealth services at no cost through the Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network. And if your workplace offers health insurance, guide your employees towards mental health services that are available through their plan.

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