Using your cell phone to place bets through an app increases the temptation to bet more than you can afford to lose, Marable said. Hiding bets from loved ones is also a sign of addiction.
Problem gambling is characterized by uncontrollable urges to gamble, which can lead to significant negative outcomes, such as financial distress, mental health issues and strained relationships, Marable said.
The introduction of legal gambling brought an increase in people developing problem gambling. While about 0.4% of people in Ohio had a gambling problem in 2012, according to the Ohio Gambling Survey, that figure has since risen to 2.8%, or 254,729 Ohioans.
An estimated 1,806,490 adult residents in Ohio can be categorized as low-risk, moderate-risk, or problem gamblers, according to the Ohio Casino Control Commission. That’s about 19.8% of the adult population.
| Do not gamble | Non-problem gambler | Low risk | Moderate risk | Problem gambler | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 percentage of the population | 17.2% | 63.0% | 10.9% | 6.1% | 2.8% |
| 2022 population estimate | 1,573,094 | 5,758,463 | 991,513 | 560,248 | 254,729 |
| 2017 percentage of the population | 25.1% | 64.4% | 6.4% | 3.0% | 0.9% |
| 2012 percentage of the population | 41.4% | 53.0% | 4.2% | 1.1% | 0.4% |
With the Super Bowl approaching and the celebratory nature that surrounds it, Public Health wants people to know their risks and know when it’s time to step away from betting.
Just being exposed to gambling can create the risk of people developing a problem.
“You may also have individuals who never gambled before but, through circumstances, try it out,” said Dan Suffoletto, public information manager at Public Health. “Many people can gamble without having any repercussions, but there’ll be a small portion of people who unfortunately will be affected.”
The American Gaming Association estimated approximately $16 billion was bet on last year’s game. Between 1% and 3% of the general adult population, or over 5.1 million people, experience a gambling problem every year, according to the National Council on Problem Gambling.
Public Health is encouraging people to “pause before you play.” At pausebeforeyouplay.org, people can take a quiz to rate their risk and find resources on how to play responsibly.
Some tips for gambling responsibly include setting limits on the time and money spent gambling and keeping gambling a recreational and social activity, not something that is done for income.
Gamble only with money set aside for entertainment, never borrow money to play and only bet amounts that you can afford to lose.
Never gamble when stressed, depressed or in recovery, and avoid gambling while consuming alcohol or other substances.
“Keep your priorities straight,” Marable said.
If you already know that you have a gambling disorder, Public Health recommends being aware of internal cues like stress, boredom and loneliness. Stay away from online gambling sites or even consider turning your phone off, Marable said.
Public Health offers free resources to Montgomery County residents, including providing free assessments to people who might be concerned that they or a loved one has a gambling problem. To contact Public Health’s Recovery Services to access that assessment, call Public Health at 937-461-5223 or visit phdmc.org.
With the introduction of mobile sports betting, the Casino Control and Lottery Commissions developed an online version of the Voluntary Exclusion Program that can be found at TimeOutOhio.com. Anyone wanting to be excluded from Ohio gambling sites may self-ban from their computers or mobile phones, or sign-up in person at a venue.
In addition to the self-exclusion program, Gamban is now available to all Ohioans and is a downloadable application that, once activated, prevents a device from accessing more than 60,000 gambling websites and apps, legal and illegal, worldwide. It is being offered at no cost to anyone looking for protection from online gambling, the Ohio Casino Control Commission said.
Signs you might have a gambling problem:
- Betting more than you can afford to lose
- Borrowing money to gamble
- Lying about time or money spent on gambling
- Betting more over time to feel the same sense of excitement
- Exaggerating wins and minimizing losses
- Spending a lot of time gambling or thinking about gambling
- Becoming irritable when not gambling
- Hiding bills or debts
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