Key points
Gamblers placed over $ 115 billion in legal bets last year and $1.39 billion on the Super Bowl
Aggressive online advertising is targeting young men.
Parents should be talking to teens about the risks of sports gambling
March Madness comes with an explosion of sports betting. Since the Supreme Court lifted the federal gambling ban in 2018, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, making it easier than ever to place a wager—it's just a few taps on a phone.
Unlike traditional gambling, where bets were placed before a game started, today’s online platforms encourage real-time, play-by-play betting, keeping users engaged (and spending) throughout an entire event. According to the American Gambling Association, Americans legally bet more than $115 billion last year, with $1.39 billion wagered on the Super Bowl alone. Meanwhile, online gambling companies spent over $400 million on advertising, aggressively targeting young people, particularly young men.
With nonstop media coverage, friendly office betting pools, and high-adrenaline competition, the perfect storm for problem gambling is forming. And more people than ever are struggling, many in silent isolation.
This topic is coming up more and more often in my work, and I like all therapists must be educated about this growing problem.
Who Is Most at Risk?
While many people can gamble recreationally, a shocking 86 percent of the gambling industry’s profits come from just 5 percent of gamblers, according to the organization Stop Predatory Gambling. These individuals are not simply playing for fun—they are losing everything—their finances, relationships, and mental health deteriorate, often before loved ones even realize there’s a problem.
College students are particularly vulnerable. With sports betting taking place in dorm rooms via smartphones and laptops, parents should discuss online gambling with their teenagers before they head off to college.
Signs of a Gambling Problem
How can you tell if gambling has become more than just a hobby? Here are some red flags:
Chasing losses. The most common sign of gambling disorder is the compulsion to win back lost money—a cycle that usually leads to even greater losses.
Secrecy. Hiding gambling habits from family and friends suggests there’s an underlying problem.
Financial distress. Maxing out credit cards, struggling to pay bills, or borrowing money frequently are all warning signs.
Emotional distress. If gambling leads to anxiety, depression, or preoccupation when you’re not betting, it’s no longer just entertainment—it’s a serious concern.
The Mental Health Toll
As a systems therapist, I see gambling disorder through the lens of self-medication. Like substance abuse, problem gambling often masks underlying emotional pain—whether it’s low self-esteem, stress, or unresolved trauma.
But self-medication rarely, if ever, heals the pain. Instead, it creates barriers to intimacy and deepens isolation. Just as someone addicted to substances cannot be fully present in relationships, a gambling disorder pulls a person’s focus away from loved ones and toward the next bet.
Underlying self-esteem struggles are quite common among problem gamblers. And many who struggle with gambling imagine that they will win big and therefore prove their intelligence or their worthiness.
The emotional rollercoaster of gambling—exhilarating highs and devastating lows—can fuel anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts. The financial and relational damage left in its wake can last for years.
References
If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, help is available:
National Problem Gambling Helpline: Call 1-800-Gambler for free, confidential support around the clock.
Gamblers Anonymous (GA): A 12-step recovery program for gambling.
Therapy: A therapist trained in gambling disorder can help you unlearn harmful behaviors and rebuild your life.
State-funded programs: Many states offer free or low-cost treatment options for gambling.
Gambling disorder is real, and it’s growing. But it is treatable. The first step is recognizing the problem—the next step is reaching out for help.