Study Links Sports Betting to Binge Drinking Among Young Men

Casinos, Gambling,

A new study shows sports betting’s legalization is linked to increases in binge drinking among young men.

Nationwide, sports betting is now legal in more than 30 states — including Arkansas, where people wagered an average of nearly $1.8 million every day on sports last year. The Arkansas Racing Commission recently voted to let FanDuel and DraftKings contract with two Arkansas casinos to run sportsbooks. But while sports betting is expanding across the country, the social cost is expanding as well.

Writing in Health Economics, researchers examined health data across multiple states, finding a 10% increase in binge drinking among young men in the wake of sports betting’s legalization.

The study’s authors concluded, “these findings suggest that the public health impact of [sports betting laws] may manifest in targeted ways – notably through elevated alcohol consumption in young males who already are heavy drinkers.”

We have written repeatedly about the harm of internet sports betting. Scientific research shows that young men who wager on sports may be at increased risk of physical and mental harm.

Twenty-year-old males account for approximately 40% of calls to gambling addiction hotlines, and upwards of 20 million men are in debt or have been in debt as a result of sports betting.

Researchers have also linked legal sports betting to sharp increases in violent crime.

Young people are particularly vulnerable to gambling problems. Evidence indicates that gambling is more addictive for college-aged individuals. Player prop bets let college students engage in “micro-betting,” a more repetitive — and therefore more addictive — form of sports betting.

Arkansans need to understand that sports betting isn’t harmless entertainment — it’s predatory. It fosters addiction, and it is linked to serious problems that hurt individuals, families, and whole communities.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE

A Christian Reflection on the Dangers of Sports Betting

Gambling, ,

In recent years, sports betting has expanded across America, and it’s mostly been promoted as harmless entertainment — or even an easy source of state tax revenue. But a growing body of research shows sports betting carries serious social costs. Christians need to understand what is at stake when it comes to gambling on sports.

The National Council on Problem Gambling reports that “the rate of gambling problems among sports bettors is at least twice as high as among gamblers in general.” When sports gambling is conducted online, that rate is goes higher.

Sports betting also hurts communities. Research has shown a strong connection between gambling problems and higher rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicide. Families often suffer when a loved one is ensnared by gambling problems. That’s bad for everybody.

Scripture warns that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10). Sports betting thrives on greed.

Christians have a responsibility to care about our neighbors enough to oppose sports betting and the harm that it causes. We also need to promote contentment, integrity, and holy living. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more innocent people in our communities.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE

Nearly Half of NCAA Basketball Players Harassed by Sports Bettors: Report

Gambling,

A recent NCAA study found that 46% of Division I men’s basketball players reported harassment from bettors on social media.

NCAA President Charlie Baker has urged state gambling commissions to eliminate player prop bets and other high-risk bets that target student-athletes. When gamblers miss their bets, they often blame the athletes.

In a statement, Baker said, “The level of social media harassment our student-athletes must endure is unacceptable. These percentages are a reflection of the increased popularity of betting on college sports across the country, and the negative environment it has created. We must continue to do everything we can to protect athletes from this type of behavior and preserve the integrity of college sports.”

We have written before about how sports betting corrupts athletic programs and puts student-athletes at risk of harassment, bribery, and exploitation.

When gambling is introduced, fans have a financial stake in the game, and athletes have an incentive to change how they play. Officials may be tempted to cheat, and fans forget why they enjoyed sports in the first place. All of that is a problem.

Federal prosecutors recently announced major indictments in college sports betting corruption against 26 people in connection with an alleged bribery and point-shaving scheme to fix NCAA basketball games.

The NCAA itself has opened investigations into dozens of student-athletes at multiple schools over the past couple of years. Players allegedly conspire to help each other win bets by underperforming in games.

At the professional level, MLB players have been accused of rigging pitches to defraud sports betting platforms. The NFL and the NBA have also dealt with corruption and scandals tied to sports betting.

Sports betting promises entertainment and easy money, but it isn’t a harmless pastime. As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect citizens and families from predatory gambling. Otherwise, problem gambling will simply hurt more and more people in our state.

Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.

READ MORE