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Olympic sports betting could outpace Super Bowl, according to gambling addition experts

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Olympic sports betting could outpace Super Bowl, according to gambling addition experts

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The 2024 summer Olympics are finally here and who among us isn’t ready to watch hours of sports and passionately root for our favorite team, players and nation?

And in many states, including Ohio, you might be placing your first legal bets on the Olympic games.

The law, now only over a year old, makes Ohio one of 38 states that offer legal sports betting. Yet with 1.8 million adult residents in Ohio categorized as at risk for problem gambling, advocates like Executive Director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, Derek Longmeier, are concerned for an uptick in problem gambling during the Olympic games.

“We won’t really know what the impact is since this is kind of our first go around but that’s where it’s really kind of important to recognize what help can look like,” he said.

Related article: From Ohio to the 2024 Olympics: Follow these Columbus residents’ journey to Paris

Longmeier said summertime is typically a quiet season for gambling due to the absence of professional and collegiate football. The beginning of the year is another peak season because of the Super Bowl and the NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments.

He says he expects the same kind of peak this summer because of the Olympics.

“Since sports betting launched in on January 1, 2023, throughout all 2023 we saw a 55% increase in call volume to the Ohio Gambling Helpline,” Longmeier said.

Estimates expect gambling on Olympics will outpace Super Bowl

With 329 events in 32 sports, Olympics betting are expected to be even more than the estimated $23.1 billion bet on this year’s Super Bowl, according to gambling helpline, Pause Before You Play.

Longmeier said while gambling can be a fun pastime with friends and family, it is important to recognize once it becomes a problem and know what kind of help to seek out.

Here, Longmeier offers tips to avoid problem gambling during the Olympics and what to do if warning signs are spotted.

What to do if you think you have a gambling problem

  1. Ask yourself, ‘is gambling still fun?’
    • Gambling should feel like a leisure activity. If it becomes anything more, you may want to take a step back.
  2. Set limits and be mindful of them
    • Set financial boundaries and respect them. Longmeier said many people who fall into addiction are those who exceed the limits of their financial capabilities.
  3. Pause before you play
    • Before placing a bet, ask yourself if your current financial situation is best suited for the kind of bet you’re placing.
  4. “If it seems like too good of a deal, it probably is”
    • Promotions are really good at trying to entice you and get your business. Keep an eye out for scams or fraudulent attempts.

Longmeier also warns gambling can be an easy gateway to other forms of addiction such as alcohol and drug abuse and those with preexisting disorders are at high risk to developing a gambling addiction.

“If you have a substance abuse or mental health diagnosis, you’re exponentially more likely to have a gambling disorder diagnosis as well,” he said.

What to do if you suspect a loved one may be a victim of problem gambling

  1. Have a conversation
    • It is important to be “positively persistent” when approaching those who may have problems with betting. Longmeier said many are not willing to be forthcoming with the details of their problem, which often include financial struggles. Therefore, it is important to be persistent in outreach to encourage them to talk about their situation honestly.
  2. Try to refrain from harsh judgement
    • Offering support and encouragement is essential when directing individuals to services that best meet their unique needs. 
  3. Seek out services
    • Ohio continues to expand its services to help those in need. Here are a list of a few services available:
      • Ohio Gambling Telehealth Network: Offers telehealth counseling for those without local access to counselors specialized in problem gambling concerns and gambling disorder.
      • Pause Before You Play: Helps individuals place time and monetary limits when betting on sports and other forms of gambling.
      • Change the game Ohio: Offers advice to parents, care providers and educators on the potential consequences of youth gambling.
      • TimeOutOhio.com: Offers a self-ban program for any Ohioan wanting to be excluded from Ohio gambling sites or online sports gambling sites.
      • Gamban: A downloadable application that prevents a device from accessing more than 60,000 gambling websites and apps (legal and illegal) worldwide.

Anyone concerned about their gambling habits should call Ohio’s Problem Gambling Helpline which connects individuals with local resources that are free and confidential. Trained specialists will answer 24/7 at 1-800-589-9966 or text 4HOPE to 741741

ABayo@dispatch.com

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