Does Working in Gambling Industry Increase Addiction Odds?
Published:
Aug 29, 2025
,
08:55 a.m.
ET
It’s no secret the gambling industry has experienced rapid expansion across the United States. In November 2024, Missouri became the 39th state to legalize sports gambling, and by December 2025 it will be operational. When states consider legalizing new forms of gambling, one of the benefits often touted by proponents is the creation of new jobs.
But while these job opportunities often provide steady income and new career opportunities, they may also expose employees to unique risks.
Research indicates that individuals who work in gambling-related environments are more likely to develop gambling-related problems than those outside the industry. A landmark study of Ontario casino workers found that casino employees had problem gambling rates over three times greater than the general population. These findings are echoed in U.S. and Australian studies showing that casino staff may be twice (or even nearly ten times) more likely to struggle with gambling addiction.
Research findings of gambling addiction in industry employees
In the Canadian study mentioned above that examined casino employees in Ontario, researchers surveyed nearly 1,000 workers and found that many employees increased their gambling after starting their jobs, while others had chosen gambling careers because of a pre-existing interest in wagering. Both factors contributed to problem gambling rates far above average.
The study also shows how exposure to gambling environments, customer interactions and departmental culture shapes behavior. Employees working closer to the gaming floor, for example, tended to gamble more. Training and awareness programs played a role in minimizing risks, but they weren’t always enough to combat the constant exposure.
In the United States, it was shown in 2018 that casino workers may be twice as likely to develop gambling disorders as the general public. Other research in Australia found that staff rates of problem gambling were 9.6 times higher than average.
Why may gambling workers be more prone to gambling addiction?
Experts point to potential reasons for these spikes that include stressful shift work, role conflicts (encouraging gambling while screening for problem behavior) and the emotional toll of working in a high-stimulation environment.
Working within the gambling ecosystem means constant exposure to the language, strategies and culture of wagering. For some, this creates a sense of normalization where gambling can seep into everyday conversation, instead of being thought of as an occasional entertainment expense, as it should be.
My own experience working in the sports betting industry
I can relate to this firsthand. Having worked in sports media and handicapping over the last several years, I’ve spent countless hours covering MLB, NBA, NFL, NCAA football, basketball and tennis. As a journalism major with a sports media certificate from the University of Wisconsin, part of my career has been built on writing betting analysis and daily picks content.
When I first started, I certainly felt the pressure to “put my money where my mouth is” by betting my own actual money on the picks that I was sharing and recommending publicly. My passion for sports statistics and advanced analytics convinced me I had an edge. But I learned quickly that skill in projecting outcomes doesn’t always translate to profitable betting.
Over time, I became more comfortable separating my professional work from personal gambling. Over time, I started to focus solely on the analysis itself, without feeling the need to back up my written picks with a wager. Still, I know that pressure is real, and what it feels like for the separation between gambling-related work and life to become blurry. Many in the industry aren’t able to draw that same line.
For casino and sportsbook workers, the risk may be even more immediate. They’re surrounded by gaming machines, table play, TVs with all the action and bettors every day. Add in the stress of long shifts, irregular hours and the allure of quick wins, and the temptation can grow stronger.
Are casino and gambling operator employees allowed to bet?
Employees in the gambling industry can usually bet, but it depends on where and for whom someone works. Generally, casino and sportsbook employees are prohibited from placing bets with the operator that employs them. For example, a Caesars employee can’t wager on their company’s platform or at their casino.
But that doesn’t mean they can’t gamble elsewhere. Many staff members turn to other places to place bets and gamble. However, workers at times encounter restrictions when doing so. Because of their access to inside knowledge working in the industry, some are in fact relatively better at betting than the average player. So whether it’s “sharp” betting patterns, fading VIPs, odds movement insights or casual conversations with higher-ups, operators may end up limiting how much industry employees can wager, in particular with sports betting.
This creates a paradox: gambling workers may have both greater temptation and greater ability to place more “informed” bets, while simultaneously being restricted once they’re identified as insiders. The result can be frustration, secrecy or riskier gambling habits elsewhere.
Gambling addiction treatment for industry workers
The data is clear: gambling industry employees face heightened risks. But with the right support, recovery is possible if problems arise. Specialized treatment programs for casino staff have already shown promise. For instance, a relapse-prevention program tailored specifically for casino workers reported a 91% abstinence rate after six months, well above typical recovery averages.
Treatment focuses on understanding the unique triggers of industry employees: stress, constant exposure or professional pressure to gamble, and equipping them with healthier coping mechanisms.
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, sports betting or financial distress, professional help from specialists is available. Birches Health offers expert, confidential virtual care for individuals facing gambling addiction, sports betting problems or day trading compulsions. Birches’ licensed counselors specialize in helping clients regain control, repair relationships, and restore financial stability.
Take the first step toward recovery with Birches Health today:
Call 833-483-3838
Email help@bircheshealth.com
