Share 
State of Play
- A new GambleAware-backed study finds gambling-related harms can be as severe as the impacts of depression, alcohol, and cocaine, with wide financial and mental health consequences.
- This is especially relevant after rapid post-2018 sports betting expansion and rising treatment-seeking among young men.
- The findings add urgency to ongoing lawsuits and call for stronger operator safeguards and public health responses.
Researchers from the University of Plymouth, the University of Bristol, and the National Center for Social Research partnered with GambleAware to develop the Gambling Harms Severity Index (GHSI), a 1–30 scale designed to measure gambling-related harms and recovery.
The study analyzed survey data from 4,519 people in Great Britain, including 2,154 with some level of gambling problems.
A GHSI score of 15+ shows severe harm. Using established tools from other addiction research, the team found a clear correlation between higher GHSI scores and declines in quality of life, mental wellbeing, relationships, and resources.
The report states harms at severe levels are comparable to those from alcohol and cocaine addiction, with financial damage disproportionately higher for problem gamblers. GambleAware also notes that most population-level harm stems from low- and moderate-risk gamblers, supporting a whole-population prevention approach.
Study should send shockwaves to regulators
These findings reinforce what clinicians and lawyers are increasingly reporting: The rapid rollout of sports betting – now live in 39 states plus DC – has been followed by rising treatment demand, particularly among younger men exposed to aggressive promotions, in-play markets, and so-called “risk-free” offers.
Financial harms can escalate quickly, and the study’s comparison to serious drug and mental health conditions strengthens the legal and regulatory arguments against predatory product design.
Operators face heightened litigation risk as plaintiffs allege platforms continued targeted incentives even after users tried to self-exclude or close accounts. Regulators and state policymakers may use this evidence to justify stricter advertising rules, more responsible gambling tools (limits, cooling-off periods, enforced self-exclusion) and greater operator oversight.
Bettors should review account protections, set limits, and seek help if betting is causing harm.
Based on reporting by Irvin Jackson for AboutLawsuits.
