By
Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 24 January 2024
Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief
Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.
According to recent reports, Ohio for Responsible Gambling has released worrying statistics indicating a sharp rise in problem gambling calls in the state. This rise coincides with the first year of legalized sports betting in the state.
In a recent study, ORG revealed that calls to Ohio’s problem gambling helpline witnessed a huge 55 percent increase in 2023, which is the year when sports betting was legalized. The helpline, which is seen as a crucial resource for those struggling with gambling addiction, received 10,637 calls in 2023, which was nearly double the 6,835 received in the previous year.
The study also highlighted a worrying trend in Ohio, with problem gambling rates tripling since 2012. An estimated 2.8 percent of Ohio’s adult population, equating to roughly 255,000 people, are believed to suffer from a gambling disorder.
Furthermore, nearly 1.8 million adults in Ohio are categorized as low-risk, moderate-risk, or problem gamblers, accounting for almost 20 percent of the adult population.
In a news release, Michael Buzzelli, associate director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, said:
While we knew calls would increase and anticipated this due to the increases seen in other states already operating sports betting, such a dramatic increase was surprising and lets us know there is a lot of work still to be done for responsible gambling advocates statewide.
It was also pointed out that the most vulnerable groups include women over 50, teenagers, minorities, single individuals, and family members of current problem gamblers.
In response to this worrying rise in problem gambling calls, ORG has rolled out a range of initiatives and resources to help people in the state combat problem gambling. These include the ‘Pause Before You Play’ campaign, which encourages gamblers to pause before they place a bet and consider the risks, as well as set limits and ask whether it’s time to stop gambling.
Other initiatives include ‘Time Out Ohio’, which enables voluntary exclusion from gambling venues, and ‘Change the Game Ohio’, which is aimed at educating younger people about gambling risks.
2 percent of the money the state makes from the taxation of sports betting is allocated to a fund addressing problem sports gambling.
In addition, when the state started legal sports betting, it resulted in more stringent advertising and marketing standards, especially in terms of protecting people aged under 21 from gambling exposure.
This came after concerns were raised by figures like Matt Schuler, Executive Director of the Ohio Casino Control Commission. Schuler expressed dissatisfaction with Kentucky regulators for setting the legal gambling age at 18, emphasizing the vulnerability of younger people who might not be fully aware of the consequences of their actions.
In Ohio, people aged 18 and over can legally bet on the lottery and on horse races. However, when it comes to online and retail betting, gamblers must be aged 21 or over. This regulation further enhances the state’s efforts to reduce the risks associated with problem gambling, particularly among its younger residents.
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