What Sports Bettors Need to Know This Season
Published: August 18, 2026
College football kicks off its fourth season since the legalization of sports betting in Ohio. With the Premier League and NFL quickly following, the next few months mark an exciting time for sports fans, a busy time for sports bettors, and a worrisome time for behavioral health experts.
Cincinnati’s Local12 News recently released an article on the growth of sports betting. Featured is clinical director of addiction services at Lindner Center of Hope, Dr. Chris Tuell, who describes the current state of sports betting as a “perfect storm” for experiencing gambling disorders.
Traditional gambling, before the legalization of sports betting, was more prevalent among older adults with fully developed brains. Now with sports betting legalized and extremely accessible online, Dr. Tuell and other experts have noticed a rise in gambling disorders among all ages, especially emerging adults, and are concerned how young men (ages 18-24) are being targeted by betting operators.
The risk for those who engage in gambling isn’t just about spending too much time and money — it’s also about what that can lead to. Unfortunately, the risks increase significantly for individuals with developing brains (those under 25-years-old).
Kelley Breidigan, a clinical expert from the Ohio State University’s College of Social Work, explains how “marketing sends the message that sports betting is a normal, safe activity” when the reality is much different. Breidigan’s research found that 81.4% of individuals in treatment for a gambling disorder experienced suicidal ideation and 30.2% attempted suicide, according to the International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.
Gambling disorders remain a widespread public health issue for Ohioans of all ages. Amanda Blackford, now with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, and Derek Longmeier from the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio estimate nearly one in five Ohioans are categorized at risk of disordered gambling in 2024. Approximately 255,000 of those individuals experience disordered gambling.
Now in 2026, Dr. Tuell notes the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline has had a 50% call increase over the past three years since sports betting was legalized — a sign that more people could be at risk for gambling related harms than the current data reflects.
How Sports Bettors Can Protect Themselves
Understanding the risks associated with sports betting is a vital step before choosing to engage. This is especially crucial for individuals under 25 years old whose prefrontal cortex, the section of the brain responsible for rational thinking, is not fully developed.
If choosing to bet, it’s important to stay in control. Please watch and share the new PSA below to any young adults you know.
Three Tips to Lower Your Risk
⌛ Set limits to help keep sports betting a recreational and social activity. You may choose to self-impose restrictions on the amount of time and money you spend, or you can choose a program like TimeOutOhio and Gamban to limit your access to various casinos and betting platforms.
⚠️ Recognize the risks that sports betting can have on your mental and physical well-being. According to the National Council on Problem Gambling, individuals with gambling disorders are up to 15 times more likely to attempt suicide than the general population. Visit PauseBeforeYouPlay.com to learn more about the impacts of gambling — or take the quiz to gauge your risk level.
🛑 Know when to stop and don’t chase your losses. If betting starts to impact your mood and behavior, the best thing you can do for yourself is to walk away. If you or someone you know has difficulty with this, consider having a conversation to decide if additional support is needed.
Want to talk to someone? Call the free 1-800-589-9966 or text 988 to get in touch with a trained and understanding specialist available 24/7 through the Ohio Problem Gambling Helpline. Or, explore virtual telehealth services from Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network available for Ohioans at no cost.
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