Last updated on: April 3rd, 2025

Problem Gambling + Sports Betting

Problem gambling habits often develop slowly, with the bettor unaware that anything is changing at all. Sports betting, being a form of gambling, can lead to sports bettors developing an unhealthy addiction to the game. Over 4.5 million Americans struggle with gambling addiction, representing roughly 1.35% of the total U.S. population.

Issues with gambling can destroy lives. Like any other addiction, it not only affects the person with the problem but all people in their lives. To help combat problem gambling, we have provided our readers with a list of signs to look out for. This page will also offer tips to help avoid falling down the rabbit hole into addiction. Legal sports betting is meant to be a fun activity, not a harmful one. If you believe you have developed a problem, there are a number of ways to get help with your addiction. You can find various forms of accessible treatment at the bottom of this page.

How To Gamble Responsibly

Responsible gambling isn’t about making the right picks at the right times or hitting on a massive parlay for a once-in-a-lifetime payoff. These outcomes are part of why we play, but they don’t in themselves constitute responsible gaming or excuse poor sports wagering habits. If you want to maximize your fun and profit in the sports betting world, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure that you and your hobby both stay in the black.

Always keep track of the amount of money you spend on sports betting.
Stick to a predetermined wagering limit for all of your sports betting sessions.
Never bet on sports with more money than you can afford to lose.
Never try to quickly recoup losses with a wager you did not plan to make.
Do not bet on sports because you “need the money.”
Always treat sports betting strictly as entertainment.
Don’t bet on sports while inebriated or under the influence of drugs.
Don’t use sports betting as an “escape” from unrelated problems in your personal, professional, or family life.
Use only legitimate bookmaking services that have trustworthy financial track records.
Always pay your required state and/or federal taxes on your sports betting winnings. See our page that is dedicated to everything sports betting taxes.
Bet with your head, not your heart.

Are You A Problem Gambler?

Many times, it’s difficult to tell the difference between a simple run of bad luck (which is inevitable) and actual problem gambling. If you’re not sure that you have a problem but suspect that you may be dealing with gambling addiction, you can take a simple questionnaire to help you figure out the appropriate next steps.

The following twenty (20) questions are adapted from the standard Gamblers Anonymous addiction questionnaire, which is considered the standard metric to briefly assess your gambling addiction risk. If you answer “Yes” to seven (7) or more questions, you may be a compulsive bettor and should consider making some changes to your approach or seeking help from a qualified party.

Did you ever miss school or work due to sports betting?
Has sports betting ever caused your private home life to become unhappy?
Has sports betting ever negatively affected your personal or professional reputation?
Have you ever felt remorseful after participating in sports betting?
Have you ever bet on sports in order to pay bills or solve other unrelated financial problems?
Has sports betting ever caused a decrease in your personal or professional ambitions?
When you lose a sports bet, do you feel compelled to immediately place more bets to recoup your losses?
When you win a sports bet, do you feel compelled to place more wagers in order to win even more money?
Do you tend to bet on sports until all of your money is lost?
Have you ever borrowed money to finance your sports betting habits?
Did you ever sell anything in order to fund your sports betting habits?
Are you reluctant to use money earmarked for sports betting for important personal or family expenditures?
Has sports betting ever made you neglect the welfare of yourself or your family?
Have you ever spent more time betting on sports than you had planned for?
Have you ever bet on sports to escape worry, trouble, boredom, loneliness, grief or loss?
Have you ever committed (or thought about committing) a crime to finance your sports betting?
Has sports betting ever caused you to have difficulty sleeping?
Do day-to-day conflicts, disappointments, or frustrations make you feel like you have to bet on sports?
Do you ever celebrate good news by betting on sports?
Have you ever considered self-harm or suicide due to sports betting?
Do you find yourself needing to bet on something just because you need to get action on some sort of event?

Help Is Available!

Sports betting, like all gambling, can be a wholesome, entertaining, and profitable pastime. Unfortunately, a small percentage of gamblers will become addicted to the activity, and this can have very negative consequences, both for the gambler and those close to them. If you feel that you or someone you know might be addicted to sports betting or gambling, you can seek help by consulting with any of the following nationally recognized problem gambling agencies:

States Involvement In Problem Gambling

As sports betting is legal across the US, it is only right that states do their best to assist in problem gambling. The Michigan Gaming Control Board cited 5% of students consider themselves gambling addicts. Many states have commercials that display an anti-gambling approach. Others rely on signs for bettors to read to stop them. But, using Virginia’s sports betting resources is a prime example of a state helping. Lawmakers fought to include problem gambling on the curriculum for addictive behaviors. Maryland is more linked with Michigan in problem gambling education. Senator Simonaire introduced a bill but it was never voted on. West Virginia tried too with a personal finance class on sports betting. But, the WV sports betting bill never moved forward in legislation.

NY Governor Kathy Hochul declared March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month in 2025 for the state – one of the newest states to join in the mix.

How Online Sportsbooks Keep Problem Gamblers Hooked

Modern online sportsbooks don’t just accept bets—they actively shape how and when users place them. Using sophisticated data tracking and behavioral analytics, these platforms can identify high-risk players and tailor their sports betting promotions accordingly. Instead of encouraging responsible play, some operators use this data to push personalized bonuses and notifications that keep users engaged—especially those showing signs of compulsive gambling.

Unlike brick and mortar sportsbooks at casinos, which rely on foot traffic and in-person interactions, online sportsbooks can track hundreds of user attributes, including betting frequency, deposit patterns, and even time spent browsing odds. This information allows them to target problem gamblers with incentives designed to keep them playing. In contrast, some markets—such as the U.K.—have stricter responsible gambling measures, including financial vulnerability checks and VIP program restrictions.