Internet and Sports Betting

INTERNET GAMBLING

✓ Easy Access – Available 24 Hours a day, Seven Days a Week

✓ Accessible Anywhere

✓ Free Play in the Beginning and Then Transition to Real Money

✓ Continuous Play and Fast Paced

✓ Why is Internet Gambling so Addictive?

✓ Can be played on any accessible internet device

✓ Temptation can be Higher because it can be played anywhere

WHY IS IT SO ADDICTIVE?

✓ Free to play attracts a player by shifting the wins in their favor. Once the free play is over and the player uses real money, the odds shift back to the House.

✓ Can be played on any accessible internet device

✓ Temptation can be Higher because it can be played anywhere

✓ Free to play attracts a player by shifting the wins in their favor. Once the free play is over and the player uses real money, the odds shift back to the House.

RISK FACTORS

Male, Athlete, age 18-24

Substance use/abuse

Family history of addiction

Belief in own skill/luck

Misperception of odds

Easy access to money

Deal. Cope. Recovery.

RESPONSIBLE BETTING CAN BE FUN!
Call or text right now.

SPORTS BETTING

✓ Over 59 million participants in North America in 2017

✓ It became legal to gamble on sports in Maryland on December 9, 2021

✓ 70% are Males with a College Degree or more

✓ Average age 18 - 39

✓ 70% cite football as favorite fantasy sport to watch

✓ Number of participants have doubled over the past 7 years

✓ Daily Fantasy Sites (DFS) are the emerging trend

✓ 47% play for money

✓ Often considered the "Gateway" drug to Sports Gambling

✓ The average annual income for a sports bettor is approximately $74,000 (wepicksports.com)

✓ Over 118 million Americans wager on sports each year (ESPN)

✓ Sports gambling can be done either in person at an authorized venue or online

QUICK FACTS

✓ Supreme Court allows states to legalize sports gambling as of May, 2018

✓ Sports betting is the most popular form of gambling among youth 14-22 years of age (NCPG - North America) Total revenue spent on sports betting in 2023 was 11.4 Billion

✓ The largest share of sports bettors in the United States was 25 to 34 years old. In total, 34 percent of U.S. adults in this demographic had used a sportsbook in the past 12 months. 

✓ 2.5 million adults in the U.S. meet the criteria of having a severe gambling problem. Another 5 million to 8 million people are considered to have mild or moderate gambling problems.

✓ Often considered the "Gateway" drug to Sports Gambling

✓ Fantasy sites are designed to replicate the look and feel of sports betting websites FANTASY SPORTS

✓ 67% of all college students bet on sports (NCPG - North America)

✓ 44% of 12th grade males reported wagering on sports at least once (NCPG - North America)

WARNING SIGNS

✓ Preoccupation

✓ Borrowing Money

✓ Selling Items

✓ Withdrawal, Restlessness, Withdrawal

✓ Risk Taking Behaviors

✓ Inability to Stop or Cut Back

✓ Lying Thoughts of/or Committing Illegal Acts

✓ Alienation of Family and Friends

✓ Need for action and excitement

✓ Defensive attitude

✓ Thoughts of Suicide