Key Points<\/p>\n
Survey finds that 51% of bettors have placed wagers to help pay bills45% said they have borrowed money to place sports betsStates are putting more focus on responsible gambling support<\/p>\n
A
\nU.S. News survey
\nfound that 51% of respondents had placed sports bets in an attempt to help pay bills. Nearly half also said they had borrowed money to wager. The findings come as legal sports betting continues to generate billions of dollars in wagers across the U.S. They emphasize the need for continued responsible gaming efforts to address the issue of problem gambling.<\/p>\n
Sports bettors are wagering to pay bills<\/p>\n
The U.S. News survey included 1,200 Americans who had placed a sports bet during the previous 12 months. Responses were collected between Aug. 31 and Sep. 3.<\/p>\n
Among those surveyed, 21% stated that they had bet hoping to cover rent or mortgage payments, with another 18% citing credit card debt. These findings show how betting can become tied to everyday financial decisions for some players.<\/p>\n
Betting was also a regular activity for many respondents, with 57% saying they bet at least once per week and 17% placing a wager every day. That level of activity, combined with how betting is often used to help pay bills, raises concerns.<\/p>\n
Borrowing money adds another concern<\/p>\n
45% of respondents said they had borrowed money to place sports bets. That included 23% who used a credit card cash advance, 21% who borrowed from a friend, 13% who used a personal loan, and 11% who turned to a high-interest payday loan.<\/p>\n
Those figures are significant because borrowing money to gamble can turn betting losses into a longer-term financial problem. This is especially true when bettors use high-interest options such as cash advances or payday loans. Instead of losing only the amount wagered, they can also be left paying interest and fees after the bet is settled.<\/p>\n
This data also shows why financial education needs to continue to be a major part of responsible gaming efforts.<\/p>\n
New York is dealing with problem gambling<\/p>\n