As sports betting continues to proliferate in Illinois, the state Department of Human Services has continued to face mounting pressure when it comes to problem gambling. According to the Illinois Department of Human Services, considerable numbers of gambling addiction cases have been recorded in the state.
To try and curb the growing numbers of gambling addicts, the Department debuted a new problem gambling awareness campaign that came complete with the powerful tagline; “Are You Really Winning?”. This campaign was devised to address the misconception that gambling is a get-rich-quick hobby or profession that can be undertaken by anyone with little starting capital.
Specifically, the campaign hoped to educate gamblers on how to spot signs of addiction and reach out for help in a timely manner. Throughout the campaign, the Illinois Department of Human Services also shared various effective treatment and recovery options available to those who need them. People experiencing problem gambling were also encouraged to turn to available confidential helplines such as 1-800-GAMBLER.
The campaign was also created to shed light on problem gambling as a medical addiction that can be just as damaging as other more well-known addictions such as drug use or alcoholism. Thanks to continued research, experts all over the world now agree that gambling addiction is indeed a real illness.
Specialists state that gambling addiction differs greatly from many other forms of addiction in that it is behavior-based rather than chemical or substance based. However, gambling addiction consists of a similar process in that it leads to compulsive behavior that the gambler has little to no control over.
What makes gambling addiction so difficult to control or point out is that, unlike chemical or substance abuse, it hardly leaves tell-tale physical signs like track marks or alcohol fumes. Over the last few decades, this is what has made compulsive gamblers so elusive.
Plus, society has made gambling addiction difficult to solve as it is largely seen as a behavioral problem that a sufferer should be able to regulate. Plus, even though compulsive gambling is classified as a legitimate medical diagnosis these days, treatment for the condition is not covered by insurance in many cases. As you can imagine, this has made it even harder than it should be for people that suffer from gambling addiction to get the help needed to recover.
As such, the campaign by the state Department of Human Services sought to generate awareness regarding the growing cases of gambling addiction. The Department states that an estimated, 400,000 individuals in the state suffer from gambling disorders. An additional 700,000 are at risk of developing the addiction, which no doubt, presented the thriving gambling market with a serious dilemma.
When the state legalized sports gambling in 2019, it paved the way for all individuals 20 and older to place monetary bets on a variety of live sporting events. Legal sports betting in Illinois was originally designed to prop up the state’s struggling finances while also creating a safer market for residents.
However, the thriving gambling market has not been without its challenges- problem gambling being one of the primary ones. If the state fails to quickly nip the issue in the bud, it could escalate and get out of hand as it has in many other international gambling markets.
What we cover
Problem gambling is a nationwide issue
Based on reports from the National Council of Problem Gambling, at least 2 million adults in the country meet the criteria of problem gambling or addiction. The legalization of betting across the country has helped to grow the US into one of the most successful markets in the world. However, it has also created a generation in which many individuals, especially younger people, are developing an unhealthy relationship with the practice.
Before the legalization of sports betting in the country, the practice was very tightly controlled and outlawed in many states. Established sports leagues and franchises such as the NFL even considered sports betting a taboo and refused to support gambling for decades. But the situation is no longer the same today.
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling to legalize sports betting in 2018, betting on sports has become legal and is operational in at least 32 states, as well as the District of Colombia. This means that more than 170 American adults are free and welcome to place wagers on sports teams and events in the country and beyond.
Based on reports from the American Gambling Association, the gambling business has never been more profitable. In sports media, gambling content and advertisements can be found just about anywhere while sports teams and betting operators continue to forge strategic partnerships every week.
Gambling companies including BetMGM and FanDuel have also made sportsbooks situated on stadium grounds commonplace. According to the AGA, punters in the country bet approximately $55 million on legal bets in 2021, which ultimately produced revenue worth $4.13 billion and $672 million worth of taxes.
Last year, it is estimated that revenues surpassed $20 billion. As the country continues to invest heavily in the market, gambling addiction experts fear that the sudden rise of the industry has been sowing the seeds of the public health crisis that is gambling addiction. As the market continues to expand, problem gambling will only continue to become a major issue.
As such, all parties involved need to approach it with the seriousness it deserves. Most individuals that chose to gamble do not develop problem gambling. But some do. Just how many succumb to the behavioral disorder still remains unclear. The federal government does not have a system that tracks cases of gambling addiction.
Final Thoughts
The only state that monitors gambling addiction rates is Massachusetts. The good news is that authorities and gambling operators are stepping up to address the ongoing problem while also offering ways to control the numbers. As sports betting continues to thrive, the pool of potential gambling addicts will continue to grow unless serious measures are taken.
Young adults, in particular, face the highest risk of addiction. Many punters do not believe that sports gambling should be eliminated. Instead, many support the idea of stronger regulations aimed at reducing instances of harm or higher taxes for operators to fund problem gambling research, prevention, as well as treatment.
