As sports betting expands across the U.S. and the U.K., rising rates of gambling-related harm are drawing attention. This relates to mental well-being as well as financial issues.
The rapid growth of online sports betting is coinciding with a surge in people seeking help for gambling problems. For example, UC San Diego research (“Growing Health Concern Regarding Gambling Addiction in the Age of Sportsbooks”), shows that Internet searches related to gambling addiction have risen nationally by 23% since the Murphy v. NCAA decision, translating to millions of help-seeking inquiries.
The Murphy v. NCAA ruling invalidated the federal ban on state-authorized sports betting, enhancing state sovereignty and reshaping federal-state relations under the anti-commandeering doctrine.
“Sportsbooks have expanded from a single state to 38 states, with hundreds of billions of wagers, mostly online, coinciding with record-breaking demand for help with gambling addiction as millions seek help.”
The Legacy Healing Center notes that gambling disorder, like substance addiction, hijacks the brain’s reward pathways. Easy access to betting apps, constant notifications, and high-stakes digital environments can create a perfect storm for high-risk behaviour.
Addiction Medicine Specialist Dr. Ash Bhatt has told Digital Journal how understanding these dynamics and offering timely, discreet support is critical in preventing harm and promoting recovery.
The co-occurrence of gambling and substance addiction
Gambling disorder shares many parallels with substance use disorders, highlighting why experts view behavioural addictions through a similar lens. Key patterns observed include:
- Accessibility and immediacy: Just as substances are easier to overconsume when readily available, mobile apps and online betting platforms allow 24/7 access, increasing risk for compulsive behavior.
- Reinforcement and reward loops: Wins, losses, and near-misses in gambling trigger neurological responses similar to drugs or alcohol, activating the same reward pathways.
- Psychological stressors: High-pressure betting environments, chasing losses, and financial strain mimic stressors seen in substance addiction, intensifying compulsive behavior.
- Delay in help-seeking: Many hide gambling problems due to stigma or fear, mirroring the hesitancy seen in people struggling with substance use disorders.
Gambling disorder often co-occurs with substance use disorders, reflecting overlapping neurological and behavioral patterns. Individuals with addiction to alcohol, stimulants, or other substances are more likely to develop problematic gambling habits, as both activate similar reward pathways and impulsive decision-making tendencies.
This connection helps explain why treatment approaches for substance use disorders, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, often address a broader range of compulsive or high-risk behaviors, including gambling. By targeting underlying triggers, coping strategies, and impulse control, these therapies can support recovery from multiple addictive behaviors simultaneously.
As Bhatt explains: “Gambling disorder is increasingly visible in the digital era, yet it often goes under-recognized. We are seeing more individuals who struggle with substance use also exhibiting problematic gambling behaviour, reflecting the shared reward pathways and impulsivity that underlie both. The rise of mobile betting apps and online sportsbooks makes access constant and immediate, which can intensify the risk of compulsive behaviour.”
In terms of tackling this, Bhatt advises: “Treatment for gambling disorder draws on the same evidence-based strategies used in substance addiction. Cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based approaches, and behavioural interventions help patients recognise triggers, develop healthier coping mechanisms, and regain control over impulsive choices.”
Hence, approaching gambling within the broader context of addiction ensures that treatment addresses the root behavioural patterns rather than just isolated symptoms.
Medical services need to be adaptive, as Bhatt explains: “Addiction is constantly evolving and can seep into multiple aspects of daily life, even through someone’s phone or digital environment. Treatment centres that continuously adapt their programs to these societal changes, monitoring new triggers and adjusting interventions, provide patients with the best chance to manage multiple addictive behaviours effectively. Being aware of these dynamics is a major factor in choosing a centre that can offer comprehensive, forward-thinking care.”
