There’s an increase in concern over gambling addictions across the country as accessibility and sports betting becomes more common. PC: Fox 11 Online
GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — There’s an increase in concern over gambling addictions across the country, as accessibility and sports betting becomes more common.
While Wisconsin doesn’t allow online betting, a local gambling problem resource center says their helpline is getting busier.
For many people, placing a bet at the casino is a way to compete and be entertained — and if you’re lucky, you might walk away with the jackpot. But odds are that won’t happen.
“People really think gambling is a way to make money, and it is not a way to supplement your income or add an income,” Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Rose Blozinski said.
Blozinski said they’re getting more calls to their helpline than in the past, with people seeking gambling addiction services. In fact, the need has steadily grown since their helpline was activated in 1995.
She thinks the rise is connected to an increase in gambling accessibility, and sports betting, in particular.
“We are hearing from a little bit more of the sports betters, which is unusual. Usually we don’t really hear from the sports betters, so we’re starting to have that happen, so that’s an indication that things might be changing,” Blozinski said.
According to Jama Internal Medicine, the number of states with sports books increased from 1 in 2017 to 38 by 2024, which includes Wisconsin. In 2017, $4.9 billion were wagered on sports. That number grew to a whopping $121.1 billion in 2023.
The American Medical Association reported that online searches for gambling addiction have also gone up.
“When there’s an increase in some type of gambling, you’re gonna have more people who are going to do it and try it, and therefore, you’re gonna have more people who are going to become more addicted,” Blozinski said.
She said signs of an addiction include excessive gambling, placing higher bets, depression and lifestyle changes.
At Oneida Casino Hotel in Green Bay, their sports book opened about three years ago. Since then, they’ve seen a steady increase of people, especially when they released their mobile betting app, which can only be used on the Oneida Nation Reservation.
“So we have an outlet for people who enjoy gambling, but it’s really about the entertainment piece of it,” Oneida Casino Gaming Assistant Chief Financial Officer Chad Fuss said.
Fuss says they’re expecting a big turnout at the sports book for March Madness, and they typically see big numbers for the Super Bowl.
The casino also has gambling addiction resources available, including pamphlets, signs and symptoms on all kiosks, and they even work closely with the Wisconsin Council on Problem Gambling.
“We don’t ever want to see individuals get into any hot water, any addictions, that’s not our goal,” Fuss said. “It’s really just to provide [an] entertainment experience.”
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