Surge in Gambling Disorder Cases Linked to Legal Sports Betting

WHO:

NBC News - Researchers conducted the study analyzing electronic health records.

WHAT:

NBC News - Gambling disorder diagnoses have spiked in states that legalized sports betting.

Drudge Report - The study indicates a major difference in gambling disorder cases between states that approved sports gambling and those that did not.

WHERE:

NBC News - The study focused on states in the United States that have legalized sports betting.

WHY:

NBC News - The increase in gambling disorder cases is linked to the legalization of sports betting in various states.

HOW:

NBC News - Researchers analyzed millions of electronic health records to assess the impact of legalized sports gambling on gambling disorders.

(UPDATED June 26, 2026 19:39 UTC)

A new study analyzing electronic health records has revealed a significant spike in gambling disorder diagnoses in states that have legalized sports betting. Researchers found a major difference in the number of gambling disorder cases between states that approved sports gambling and those that did not, linking the increase directly to the legalization. The study focused on states across the United States, where millions of health records were examined to assess the impact of this growing trend.