Clinicians in New York are reporting a sharp decline in the number of people seeking treatment for gambling addiction, which is a concerning trend. A Times Union study claims that fewer people are seeking assistance, even while the number of gambling choices, such as mobile sports betting, is growing quickly.
Decline in Treatment During Rising Gambling Accessibility
Susan Browne, a counselor with Helio Health, expressed concern over the dwindling inquiries her center is receiving. She noted, “There’s more methods of gambling, yet I’m getting less and less phone calls. I think there will come a time that the floodgates open, but at this point, it just appears that folks are not seeking the help that’s available.”
The widespread adoption of mobile sports betting apps has compounded the issue, intensifying gambling problems across the state. New York legalized mobile sports betting nearly three years ago, a move that has fueled both market growth and addiction concerns.
Experts attribute the decline in treatment-seeking behavior to the persistent social stigma around gambling disorders. Jim Maney, Executive Director of the New York Council on Problem Gambling, highlighted how the digital nature of modern gambling blurs the lines between betting and everyday app use.
“We brought gambling onto an apparatus that they knew how to control, and it was a perfect marriage,” Maney explained. “Being on a phone app is no different from being on Instagram or Snapchat or TikTok. Now you’re on a gambling app. It’s all the same thing.”
Despite these obstacles, sports betting participation in New York is still at an all-time high. With a sports wagering handle of $2.32 billion in October, the state set a new record, demonstrating the enormous appeal of mobile sports betting sites.
This alarming contradiction—a flourishing gaming industry combined with a drop in treatment participation—highlights the necessity of greater awareness and easily available support services in the fight against gambling addiction.
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