Researchers from the University of Maryland have reported a troubling increase in gambling-related harm among residents, particularly in the development of gambling disorders. According to a study conducted by the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, the prevalence of these disorders has risen from 4% to 5.7% since the legalization of online sports gambling in 2022.
The study involved a sample size of 3,600 respondents who were questioned about their gambling habits. Lead researcher, Dr. Christopher Welsh, who serves as the medical director at the Center and is a professor of psychiatry at UMSOM, highlighted the severity of gambling addiction. He explained that it parallels other well-documented addictions, such as those related to substances like alcohol and cocaine.
Dr. Welsh stated, “It’s very similar to other addictions. Looking at compulsive gambling, you can’t stop even if you are having issues like losing money.” He further noted that individuals can experience withdrawal symptoms from gambling, comparable to those experienced by individuals withdrawing from alcohol. The consequences of gambling addiction can extend beyond the individual, affecting family and friends and sometimes leading to criminal behavior in pursuit of funding for gambling.
Physiological Factors and Impact of Gambling Addiction
Dr. Welsh emphasized that the physiological factors driving gambling addiction are akin to those in substance abuse cases. He pointed out that, according to research, suicide rates are alarmingly high among individuals with gambling addiction, exceeding those of other forms of addiction. “Suicide rates, both attempted and actually completed suicides, are highest in people with gambling addiction,” he explained.
The situation in Maryland reflects a broader trend, as other states like West Virginia have reported similar increases in gambling disorders post-legalization. Experts in West Virginia have voiced concerns about rising addiction rates, particularly among youth and student-athletes.
Some argue that the legalization of sports betting and better regulation may not necessarily increase the number of gambling addicts but could instead improve the identification of those in need of help. Dr. Welsh acknowledged this perspective, suggesting that legalization might be bringing individuals who require support into the open rather than amplifying the problem.
As the conversation about gambling addiction continues, it remains clear that the implications of increased accessibility to gambling require urgent attention and a comprehensive approach to public health and support systems. The findings from the University of Maryland call for both awareness and action as communities grapple with the complexities of gambling behavior in a changing legislative landscape.
