Gambling Disorder Diagnoses Rise Sharply in States With Legal Sports Betting

Analysis of electronic health records shows diagnoses of gambling disorder increased more than 60 percent since 2018 in states that legalized sports betting, and the biggest jumps appeared among young men. The rate moved from 3.0 to 4.8 per 100,000 people according to researchers who examined records across multiple jurisdictions. This pattern emerged alongside the spread of legal sports wagering platforms after the 2018 Supreme Court decision that cleared the way for state-level expansion.

Key Findings From the Data Review

Researchers tracked diagnosis codes in electronic health records from states that introduced sports betting markets and compared them with pre-legalization baselines. The increase exceeded 60 percent in those states while remaining lower in places without legal sports betting. Young men between the ages of 18 and 34 accounted for the largest share of new cases, and the overall rate climbed steadily each year after legalization took effect. Observers note the change aligns with greater availability of mobile betting apps and widespread advertising campaigns that began rolling out in 2019 and continued through subsequent years.

Figures reveal the shift occurred across several states that moved quickly to regulate the activity. States that delayed legalization showed smaller rises during the same period. The data covers records collected through 2025, and preliminary updates into 2026 continue to reflect the same upward trajectory in jurisdictions where betting remains fully operational.

Demographic Patterns and Age Groups

Young men drove most of the growth, with diagnosis rates in that group rising faster than any other segment. Researchers found that men aged 18 to 34 saw increases nearly double the average across all age groups. Women and older adults also recorded rises, yet the magnitude stayed smaller. Health systems in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Illinois reported similar patterns once sports betting apps became widely used after each state passed enabling legislation.

One study revealed that marketing tied to major sports leagues coincided with the periods of fastest growth in new patient records. Those who've examined the records point out that the timing matches the launch of in-game betting features and same-game parlay options that became popular starting in 2020. The data does not establish direct causation, yet the correlation remains consistent across the states reviewed.

Connection to Expanded Legal Markets

States that legalized sports betting between 2018 and 2022 experienced the clearest increases. In contrast, states that kept prohibitions in place recorded more modest changes in the same diagnosis codes. The analysis examined more than several million records and controlled for population growth and changes in overall healthcare utilization. Researchers adjusted for these factors before concluding that the rise tracks with the rollout of legal betting options rather than broader shifts in medical practice.

Electronic health record systems captured new entries under ICD codes specific to gambling disorder. The jump from 3.0 to 4.8 cases per 100,000 people represents a statistically notable change that appears in multiple independent datasets. Health departments in affected states began tracking these codes more closely after 2019 as part of routine public health surveillance.

Broader Context and Ongoing Monitoring

Public health agencies continue to review the same data streams into July 2026, and early indicators suggest the trend has not reversed. Several states now require operators to contribute to responsible gambling funds that support treatment programs. These programs use the diagnosis data to allocate resources toward outreach aimed at younger adults. The electronic health record analysis provides one measurable indicator that regulators and clinicians reference when evaluating the effects of expanded betting access.

Additional states that legalized sports betting more recently show early signs of similar increases, although their datasets remain smaller. The pattern observed since 2018 supplies a baseline that new markets can compare against as they collect their own records over the coming years.

Conclusion

The documented rise in gambling disorder diagnoses since 2018 coincides with the legalization of sports betting in numerous states, and young men represent the group with the largest recorded increases. Electronic health record analysis places the rate at 4.8 per 100,000 people compared with the earlier figure of 3.0. States continue to monitor these metrics through 2026 as they refine regulatory frameworks and treatment resources. The data offers a clear quantitative signal that health systems and policymakers track alongside other indicators of betting market growth.