Online sports betting linked to rise in depression and anxiety treatment

A new study from Johns Hopkins University reveals a link between the legalization of online sports betting and a rise in mental health issues, particularly depression and anxiety, among adults aged 18 to 64 who have employer-sponsored health insurance. Researchers compared health insurance records from 2016 to 2023, analyzing states with and without legalized sports betting.

The findings show a roughly 5% increase in prescriptions for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications, as well as a 5% to 7% rise in outpatient diagnoses of depression and anxiety, following the legalization of online sports betting.

Danielle Piatkowsky, a licensed social worker from Northwell Zucker Hillside Hospital in Glen Oaks, New York, emphasizes that the issues associated with gambling extend beyond financial problems, impacting mental health, family relationships, social connections, and work or school performance. While the study does not definitively prove that legalized sports betting caused the increase in mental health issues, the authors warn that it may be placing additional strain on the mental health system.

Piatkowsky advises anyone struggling with gambling addiction to seek professional help, noting that the consequences of problem gambling are not only personal but also affect loved ones. Online sports betting is now legal in 31 states and Washington, D.C., and the study's results were published on October 14 in JAMA Psychiatry. However, it is important to note that the observational analysis does not establish causation.