Sports Gambling Addiction Alters Relationships and Fan Experiences

Sports gambling addiction is reshaping the way fans engage with their favorite sports, often having devastating effects on personal relationships and overall enjoyment of the games. As states across the United States continue to legalize sports betting, the allure of gambling has become a significant part of the sports culture, impacting individuals and communities alike.

Shane, a 33-year-old from New York, found himself alone at Citi Field on Easter Sunday 2023. While his family gathered for a traditional meal, Shane was fixated on a game between the New York Mets and the Arizona Diamondbacks, having wagered a staggering $25,000. He reflected, “I don’t even want to bet, but I can’t not do it.” Just 18 months earlier, Shane had never placed a bet. The legalization of online sports betting in New York in 2022 transformed casual interest into a compulsive habit.

Initially, betting on his beloved Mets seemed like a way to enhance his enjoyment of the game. “It was a way to feel even closer to the Mets than before,” he said. However, as his gambling escalated, so did the strain on his relationships. After lying to his family about his whereabouts and actions, Shane sought treatment for his gambling addiction, marking the beginning of a challenging journey toward recovery.

The growth of sports betting has been booming since the Supreme Court allowed states to legalize it in 2018. Currently, 39 states and Washington, D.C. have legalized some form of sports betting. According to the New York State Gaming Commission, the state reported over $2 billion in gross gambling revenue in the fiscal year ending March 2025. Nationally, Americans wagered nearly $150 billion on sports in 2022, a 23.6% increase from the previous year.

The rising popularity of sports betting has transformed how fans consume sports media. Promotions for digital sportsbooks are ubiquitous, infiltrating podcasts, broadcasts, and social media platforms. This saturation raises concerns among fans and industry insiders alike. A former employee of a major sportsbook noted, “It’s not good when people’s content is dependent on a paycheck from a bookmaker.”

Public sentiment is shifting as well. A Pew Research Center poll conducted in July 2025 revealed that 43% of Americans view legalized sports betting as detrimental to society, an increase from 34% in 2022. Among bettors, 34% now share this concern, and among men under 30, that figure rises to 47%. Many individuals are beginning to recognize their struggles with responsible gambling.

Despite the challenges in gathering comprehensive national data on gambling addiction, the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) reports that 8% of American adults exhibit signs of problematic gambling behavior. Jaime Costello, the NCPG’s Director of Programs, highlighted the troubling nature of this statistic, stating, “8% of Americans struggling with any behavior is a little concerning.” Furthermore, outreach to helplines tends to spike following the legalization of online sports betting, suggesting a correlation between accessibility and problematic gambling behaviors.

Two prominent operators in the sports betting industry, FanDuel and DraftKings, have developed technology aimed at preventing excessive gambling. Both companies are working on tools to help users set limits on their betting activities. However, these measures are often viewed as inadequate by those who have experienced addiction firsthand.

Ely, a 33-year-old who has battled gambling addiction since 2022, described how the convenience of online betting exacerbated his issues. “The frictionlessness of online sports betting… made it difficult to stop,” he explained. Ely had previously lost significant sums gambling through offshore sportsbooks before the legalization in New York. He initially viewed himself as a winning bettor, only to realize later that he was deeply entrenched in a dangerous cycle.

Matt, in his late 20s, experienced a similar transformation in his social interactions after sports gambling became legal. The group chats he maintained with friends shifted from casual sports discussions to a heavy focus on betting lines and wagers. “About 70% of the conversation revolved around sports betting,” he noted. While he initially enjoyed the thrill of betting, a devastating loss of $60,000 on a single game marked a turning point for him.

Nick Goerg, 35, recognized the impact of legalized sports betting on his life as well. He had been gambling since college, transitioning to legal sportsbooks with increasing stakes. After a particularly reckless weekend, during which he lost nearly all of his funds, Goerg realized he had to quit. “I eventually went into the bathroom, literally looked at myself in the mirror, and I just started crying. And I remember saying to myself, I quit,” he recounted.

Recovery from gambling addiction has not been an easy journey for these men. Shane, for instance, has had to navigate a new relationship with his family and his love for sports. “I know that’s sad to say, because I should be able to connect with him in other ways,” he said about his relationship with his father.

As the landscape of sports gambling continues to evolve, the need for responsible practices and support systems becomes increasingly crucial. The ongoing debate about the balance between allowing legal betting and protecting vulnerable individuals is likely to intensify in the years to come.

For those recovering from addiction, the challenge lies in enjoying sports without the weight of past experiences or the temptation to return to old habits. As Shane poignantly stated, “Sports themselves have almost become more of a vice.”