A sports betting addiction is a compulsive urge to gamble on sports despite harmful consequences. It can cause financial loss, emotional distress, and strained relationships. Sports betting is a behavioral addiction - not a substance addiction - that shares many similarities with substance use disorders, as it activates the brain’s reward system and causes a pleasant hormone rush, reinforcing the desire to continue betting.
Many people initially engage in gambling in sports for lighthearted fun, but for some, it spirals into an uncontrollable and damaging habit. The accessibility of online platforms, mobile apps, and legal sportsbooks has, unfortunately, made it easier than ever to develop a gambling addiction to sports betting. Here, Avenues Recovery, a leading provider of addiction treatment, explores the rise of sports gambling and provides tips for how to quit sports betting.
Key Takeaways on Sports Betting Addiction
- Sports betting addiction is a behavioral disorder where gambling on sports becomes compulsive, despite negative impacts on finances, relationships, and well-being.
- Common warning signs include an inability to stop betting, chasing losses, lying about one's gambling habits, neglecting responsibilities, and experiencing feelings of restlessness or irritability when not engaging in betting.
- What often starts as harmless entertainment can turn into addiction through a cycle of wins, losses, and emotional highs. Over time, the brain becomes conditioned to crave the excitement and perceived control that betting provides.
- Addiction can lead to severe stress, anxiety, depression, and feelings of guilt or hopelessness. Financial strain and damaged relationships often deepen the emotional toll.
- Recovery is possible through self-awareness, support, and professional help. Practical steps include setting limits, seeking therapy or counseling, joining support groups, and using gambling self-exclusion tools. Building new, healthy routines also plays a key role in long-term recovery.
Signs and Symptoms of A Sports Betting Addiction
Recognizing the telltale signs of a sports betting problem is crucial for early intervention and effective treatment.
The most common signs of a sports betting addiction include:
- Constant preoccupation with sports betting and gambling
- Steadily increasing bet sizes to achieve the same thrill
- Lying to family and friends about gambling habits
- “Chasing losses” by placing more bets to recover lost money
- Borrowing money or experiencing financial issues due to gambling
- Neglecting work, relationships, or essential responsibilities because of betting
If you or a loved one is exhibiting some of these signs, it may indicate that they are addicted to sports betting.
How Sports Betting Turns into an Addiction
Sports betting addiction develops over time as the brain becomes dependent on the excitement and fun of wagering. Some key factors contributing to addiction include:
- The illusion of control: Unlike other forms of gambling, sports betting gives bettors a false sense that their knowledge and skill can influence outcomes
- Immediate rewards: Quick payouts and frequent betting opportunities reinforce negative and compulsive behavior
- Emotional highs and lows: The cycle of winning and losing can create a powerful, addictive rush of brain chemicals
- Accessibility: With convenient mobile apps and online platforms, betting can occur almost anywhere, at any time, which can sometimes lead to online sports betting addiction.
The JAMA Study: The Rise of People Searching for Gambling Help
A groundbreaking study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) on February 17th, 2025, highlights the direct correlation between the legalization of sports betting and the surge in individuals seeking help for gambling addiction. The study analyzed data from 2018 to the present, covering the period following the landmark May 14, 2018, Supreme Court decision in Murphy v. National Collegiate Athletic Association, which struck down the federal ban on sports betting and allowed states to regulate it individually. Since then, legal sportsbooks have expanded from a single state to 38, resulting in an unprecedented surge in sports betting activity.
Key Findings of the JAMA Study
Here are some of the key findings of the JAMA study:
- Surge in Sports Betting Addiction Help Searches: States that legalized sports betting saw a significant increase in online searches for sports gambling addiction help.
- Younger Demographics at Higher Risk: The majority of individuals seeking assistance for gambling in sports were aged 18-34.
- In-Game Betting Exacerbates Addiction: The rise of real-time, in-game betting has fueled widespread impulsive gambling behaviors.
- Mental Health and Financial Struggles: Those addicted to sports betting reported notably higher rates of depression, anxiety, and financial struggles.
Why Does the JAMA Study Matter?
The JAMA study is significant because it provides empirical evidence that legalizing sports betting has far-reaching consequences on public health.
Additionally, with sports betting advertisements becoming ubiquitous, airing during prime-time sporting events, flooding social media, and even being endorsed by celebrities, the temptation to gamble is stronger than ever. This level of exposure, merged with the convenience of mobile gambling apps, has created an environment highly conducive to sports betting addiction.
The JAMA study also reveals that sports gambling addiction is not limited to
experienced gamblers. Many individuals seeking help are first-time bettors who were drawn in by promotions such as risk-free bets or matched deposit bonuses. The data suggests that these coy marketing tactics play a significant role in accelerating gambling problems, particularly among young adults who may not fully understand the risks associated with compulsive betting.
The Need For Responsible Gambling Measures
The findings of the Jama study stress the need for improved responsible gambling measures, including:
- Stricter advertising regulations to limit exposure to vulnerable populations
- Better self-exclusion programs to help problem gamblers regain control
- Increased funding for gambling addiction treatment and education initiatives
- Mandatory warnings on betting platforms about the risks of addiction
As the sports betting industry continues to grow, experts warn that without immediate intervention, sports betting addiction statistics will only continue to rise. The JAMA study serves as a wake-up call for policymakers and mental health professionals to address the urgent need for comprehensive gambling addiction resources.
How Sports Betting Affects Mental Health
A sports betting addiction is more than just a financial issue; it has significant mental health consequences, including:
- Depression and Anxiety: The stress of gambling losses and financial instability can lead to real emotional distress.
- Suicidal Ideation: Studies have shown that problem gamblers have higher rates of suicidal thoughts compared to non-gamblers.
- Relationship Struggles: Lying, secrecy, and financial problems caused by addiction often lead to broken relationships and isolation.
- Compulsive Behavior: Similar to substance addiction, sports betting addiction rewires the brain to prioritize gambling over essential life responsibilities.
Dangers, Effects, and Consequences of Sports Betting Addiction
Sports betting addiction carries several inherent dangers and consequences, such as:
Financial Consequences
Accumulating debt from continuous losses, losing savings and financial security, and even engaging in illegal activities to fund gambling
Social and Personal Consequences
Isolation from family and friends, job loss or decreased work productivity, and legal troubles related to gambling debts
Psychological and Emotional Consequences
Increased stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, decreased self-esteem, and loss of interest in hobbies and daily activities.
How to Quit Sports Betting: Treatment Options
Recovering from a sports betting addiction needs more than just treatment for the addiction itself, but a holistic care plan that identifies and targets the cause of the addiction. Once the root of addiction is discovered and addressed, individuals can begin to heal from the inside out.
There are several effective strategies and resources available to help individuals overcome a sports gambling problem.
These include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
CBT is an evidence-based therapy that helps individuals identify and change harmful thought patterns related to betting. It teaches gamblers how to develop healthier coping mechanisms and resist urges to gamble.
2. Support Groups
Support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous (GA) offer peer support and a structured recovery program for individuals addicted to sports betting.
3. Financial Counseling
Since gambling in sports often leads to severe financial consequences, professional financial counseling can help individuals regain economic stability and manage debt.
4. Self-Exclusion Programs
Many states with legalized sports betting offer self-exclusion programs, allowing individuals to ban themselves from sportsbooks and online gambling sites voluntarily.
5. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
Some people can benefit from medication that helps regulate impulse control and reduce gambling cravings. Naltrexone, for example, has shown promise in reducing gambling urges.
6. Family Therapy
Because addiction to sports betting affects loved ones, family therapy can help repair relationships and build a supportive family environment for recovery.
7. Mindfulness and Stress Management Techniques
Self-care practices like meditation, exercise, yoga, and mindfulness therapy can help reduce stress and prevent relapse.
Move on From Sports Betting Addiction with Avenues Recovery
The rise of legalized sports betting has led to an unprecedented increase in sports betting addiction statistics, proving the urgent need for public awareness and intervention.
If you or a loved one is struggling with a sports gambling problem, know that help is available. Avenues Recovery Center provides expert treatment and support to help individuals overcome sports betting addiction and regain control of their lives. Contact us today to learn more about how to stop sports betting and begin your recovery journey.
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FAQs on Sports Betting Addiction
How addictive is sports betting?
Sports betting is highly addictive because it triggers dopamine release in the brain’s reward system, similar to substance addictions. Around 1–2% of adults develop gambling disorders, with higher rates among frequent bettors. The combination of instant feedback, variable rewards, and easy online access increases the risk of dependency.
How many people are addicted to sports betting?
An estimated 1–2% of adults are addicted to sports betting, while up to 6% show signs of problem gambling. In the United States, this equals roughly 5–10 million people. Rates are higher among young men and frequent online bettors due to constant access and fast-paced betting formats.
Why is sports betting addictive?
Sports betting is addictive because it activates the brain’s reward system through dopamine release, creating a cycle of excitement and risk. Unpredictable outcomes and near misses reinforce the urge to bet again. Online platforms amplify this addiction by offering constant access, fast results, and social competition.
How to stop a sports betting addiction?
Stop a sports betting addiction by blocking betting sites, seeking professional therapy, and joining support groups like Gamblers Anonymous. Replace gambling with structured hobbies or exercise, and set strict financial limits. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) helps identify triggers and reframe thoughts that lead to betting urges.