Massachusetts aims to expand Problem Gambling research, resources
Author:
Jonathan
Published:
Jun 20, 2024
Massachusetts boasts some of the most passionate sports fans in the country, including for their hometown Boston Celtics who just won the 2024 NBA championship. Therefore, it did not come as a surprise when the state went live with online sports betting on March 10, 2023. However, after 15 months of it being available, Massachusetts has become concerned about increases in Problem Gambling and is looking for ways to combat it.
History of sports betting in Massachusetts
As mentioned, Massachusetts went live with online sports betting in mid-March 2023, which was set in motion when a sports betting bill went into law in August of 2022. The state got set for the launch of mobile sports betting by first launching retail (in-person) sports betting in January 2023.
Along with Ohio, Massachusetts was one of two states to go live with legal online sports betting in early 2023. Right from the start, the premier sportsbooks in the nation were on board, including Boston-based DraftKings and its rival FanDuel.
One of the other top operators in MA is BetMGM Sportsbook, which was named the official sportsbook partner of the Boston Red Sox just prior to the start of the 2024 MLB season. As of June, there are six active betting platforms in the state for those 21 and older.
MA betting handle, revenues, figures
One of the primary reasons that states pass online sports betting bills is the tax revenue that is expected. Massachusetts is no exception, as their handle (amount wagered), is north of $8 billion since the March 10, 2023 launch.
Just a tick under $7.8 billion of that has come from online sports betting, so it’s clear that the ease of access is a draw to sports fans in the Bay State. As for a more precise picture, we can take a look at the most recent full month of May 2024. Massachusetts handle for that month was $587.3 million, which ranked as the fourth-most of any state with legal online sports betting that has reported its figures (as of publishing).
From that amount wagered, the state collected $59 million in revenue, with the majority of that coming by way of DraftKings and FanDuel.
Push for additional Gambling Addiction research & resources
Given those staggering numbers, it’s likely no surprise that there are gambling addiction issues within Massachusetts. This has fortunately created extra motivation for gambling addiction research, which is an area where major progress needs to be made. Without any notable federal funding or research, it’s generally been left to states, universities and public health institutions to measure the societal impacts of increased online gaming.
It is even more important to do so now that gambling has become much more accessible, with various products such as sports betting, online casino and iLottery all now available at consumers’ fingertips in many states. Massachusetts has estimated that nearly 10% of the state population either has a significant gambling problem or is at risk to develop one.
Current Problem Gambling resources in MA
Identifying a problem is certainly a great start, but what is being done about it? Well, Massachusetts has set a percentage of the revenue aside for gambling addiction services, and those resources are becoming more widespread.
Birches Health is now live in Massachusetts and offers virtual treatment options from licensed therapists who specialize in Problem Gambling treatment.
Some of the most readily available are the 24/7 services that are live-chat focused, including GamLine, the National Helpline and online live chat at MACGH.org. There is also GameSense, and there is additional help on the way. Funding for problem gambling resources is set to increase to 5% of the casino revenues, double that of the originally proposed 2.5%.
It’s also worth noting that individual sportsbooks, such as DraftKings and FanDuel, also offer their own problem gambling resources.
Gambling Addiction trends & stats in United States
While Massachusetts is making an extra push for problem gambling research and resources, they are certainly not alone in terms of addiction and other issues. Across the United States, around 2.5 million people have a severe gambling problem, which is determined via the National Council on Problem Gambling.
These issues increase exceptionally when gamblers couple their addiction with alcohol or drug use, and those 2.5 million are only those labeled with severe problems. That number is only on the rise, as up to 8 million are considered to have mild problems, and with over 80% of the population having gambled at least once, there are far more people susceptible to developing problems.
Sources:
Massachusetts Sports Betting - News, FAQ & Bonus Offers (2024)
Massachusetts Sportsbooks Claim $59 Million In Revenue For May
