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State of Play’s TL;DR
- University of New Hampshire research found online sports betting legalization was associated with a 22.8% rise in problem gambling hotline calls.
- Researchers also said there was a 3.1% increase in suicide rates.
New University of New Hampshire research found that legalizing online sports betting was associated with a 22.8% increase in calls to the National Problem Gambling Hotline and a 3.1% increase in suicide rates.
The study points to online access, not just legal sports betting itself, as the key divide.
A study led by UNH assistant professor Gorkem Turgut (G.T.) Ozer examined problem gambling hotline calls and suicide rates across the states that legalized sports betting at different times. The research, published in “Information Systems Research,” found the negative effects were concentrated when betting moved online rather than remaining limited to physical sportsbooks.
Online access was the main dividing line
Ozer said the core finding was that “the negative consequences manifest primarily when the activity shifts online.” According to the university, the researchers compared the effects of online betting legalization with physical sportsbook legalization and found stronger harm signals tied to mobile access.
The study identified younger, unmarried, and relatively less-educated men as the demographic group most affected. Ozer said the widespread accessibility of mobile gambling coincided with a measurable rise in hotline calls and suicide rates.
Ozer added that online betting platforms can lower the barrier to compulsive behavior because they combine “real-time feedback loops” with unrestricted access.
“The business model of these platforms relies on sustained user participation.”
Why the findings matter for policymakers and campuses
The research arrives as sports betting is now legal in 39 states and Washington, D.C.
Ozer said that as online sports betting generates significant state revenue, public policy should also address downstream harm.
He said potential mitigation steps include better provider training, expanded mental health resources, and targeted outreach for high-risk groups. He also said colleges and universities should pay close attention because younger adults are among the groups most affected and students have around-the-clock access to online betting platforms.
The study adds to the national debate over how online sports wagering should be regulated as more states expand digital access.
Ozer has also received part of a $2.6 million award to continue researching the financial and household impacts of sports betting, suggesting this area will remain under close academic and policy scrutiny.
Based on reporting by Aaron Sanborn for the University of New Hampshire.
