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.

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Good News: Federal Court Rules Against Pope Co. Casino Effort

Gambling, ,

On Thursday, a federal court dismissed the lawsuit over Issue 2 of 2024.

Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment that voters passed last November. The measure prevents the State of Arkansas from licensing a casino in Pope County.

It also prevents any additional casinos from being opened in Arkansas without a new constitutional amendment and without local voter approval at a special election.

Cherokee Nation Business received a license to operate a casino in Pope County before Issue 2 passed. After passage of Issue 2, Cherokee Nation Business filed a federal lawsuit to undo the will of the people and block the amendment.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge D.P. Marshall, Jr., ruled against Cherokee Nation Business’s lawsuit. This decision effectively upholds Issue 2 and keeps a casino out of Pope County. That is something to celebrate.

Gambling has become a scourge in our state. On average, Arkansans gamble millions of dollars every day.

In spite of that, casino tax revenue has not improved Arkansas’ roads or boosted the economy. Instead it’s hurt our communities.

Last year the Arkansas Problem Gambling Council announced it has seen a sharp spike in calls for help with problem gambling.

We have written in the past how gambling companies often oppose safeguards and promote compulsive gambling. 

Unless Arkansans take a stand, gambling addiction is simply going to continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.

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

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