Indiana Survey Reveals High Gambling Participation in 2023

A recent survey has found that 89% of Indiana adults engaged in some form of gambling in 2023, slightly exceeding the national average of 88%. The study, conducted by Prevention Insights, a non-profit organization within the Indiana University School of Public Health in Bloomington, highlights the widespread participation in gambling activities across the state.

Indiana's gambling industry has undergone significant changes since the authorization of sports betting in September 2021, leading to a notable increase in the number of bettors. This shift has not only positively impacted the state's revenue, with over $220millioninsportsbettinghandlefor2023andamonthlyrevenueexceeding$53 million in January, but it has also raised concerns about the potential addictive nature of gambling.

Carrie Langin, a mental health therapist at Children First Center, points to the easy accessibility of sports betting as a key factor contributing to the development of addiction. She also emphasizes that "the anonymity of online gambling exacerbates issues of shame and secrecy, common traits of addiction."

Mary Lay, Operations Director of Prevention Insights and Project Director of the Indiana Problem Gambling Awareness Program, expresses concerns about the influence of gambling advertisements and marketing campaigns on the younger generation. She notes that sports personalities and actors appearing in sports betting ads increase the acceptance of sports betting among the public. Lay warns that kids and adolescents playing video games can easily transition to sports betting due to the element of guessing inherent in many games.

Lay reminds that as long as gambling is viewed as entertainment and people wager within their budget, it "can still be fun." However, she adds that the financial burden of problem gambling is not the most concerning outcome; it's the strain it can put on relationships with family and friends that can exacerbate the problem.

In response to these concerns, New York congressman Paul Tonko introduced the SAFE Bet Act in March, aiming to restrict online sports betting ads. He compares the unrestricted rise of these ads to a "public health crisis" and underscores the importance of protecting vulnerable groups and young people from the negative impacts of gambling and related advertisements.

This survey's findings underscore the need for continued monitoring and awareness efforts to ensure responsible gambling practices in Indiana and beyond.