As mobile sports betting grows, so does the need for gambling addiction treatment – WANE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) Three professional sports leagues are back playing at the same time. Its a different tune than nearly a year ago when professional sports halted.

At the same time, Indiana was in its first year of legalized mobile sports betting.

The state reported $46,516,489 in mobile sports betting receipts for the 2020 fiscal year. The most bets came from Draft Kings, Fan Duel, and Bet MGM.

Bowen Center Therapist James Wright said hes also seeing an increase in people seeking gambling addiction treatment since mobile sports betting became legal.

Wright explained gambling addiction is a process addiction.

The American Addictions Center explains a process addiction is, The compulsion to continually engage in an activity or behavior despite the negative impact on the persons ability to remain mentally and/or physically healthy and functional in the home and community.

In their brain, that distorted thinking they really think that that next shot is going to be their ticket. Everybody wants fast money. Thats a lot behind it that drives it as well, especially your sports betting online. Man if I hit this one Im going to make 50 bucks on this one. And they go for it. But as far as your partner, or your kids, or whatever, the best thing is to sit down with your spouse and make a budget for it, said Wright.

In any type of situation that youre doing things like this you have to have some sort of restraint and some people just cant, explained Kyle Richardson, an analyst for The Fantasy Headliners.

The Fantasy Headliners is a YouTube page that goes over sports research which can help gamblers, or those interested in the game. Richardson said he also works with mobile sports betting sites that help support his channel.

You know, it doesnt surprise that Indiana was kind of a target. Here in the area definitely when it was legalized. I saw lots of billboards going up, lots of shows. Its like anything. Its a marketplace. All these companies are vying for different consumers, said Richardson.

If youve watched any sports recently, you probably cant help but notice a large number of ads for mobile sports betting. Wright says this can be a trigger for those with a gambling addiction.

We asked viewers, and many are sick of seeing the ads. Others say they are utilizing the ability to make those bets. See some responses in the gallery below.

Wright explains there is a safe way to mobile bet. The best option is to set a budget, and discuss that budget with others.

The State of Indiana offers resources for Hoosiers looking for help with gambling addiction. That can be found here:https://www.in.gov/igc/problemgamblinghelp/2332.htm

Richardson lends his support to sports betting. He says it offers a safe spot for people to place bets, and some of the revenue goes toward the state. Richardson also notes the apps also take steps to curb addiction.

DraftKings offers options for people to avoid addiction by offering a Responsible Gaming section on the Sportsbook app. Players can set spending spending, wager and time limits. Theres also a cool off function pausing use of the app and a Patron Protection section offering facts about the dangers of gambling and contact information for help with addiction.

Read the original post:

As mobile sports betting grows, so does the need for gambling addiction treatment - WANE