WVXU: A year into Ohio's legalized sports betting, gambling addiction is on the rise
UC expert says awareness of helpful resources is key
More than 250,000 Ohioans have a problem gambling disorder, according to the most recent Ohio Gambling Survey. The number of people with the disorder tripled between 2017 and 2022 and, after sports betting became legal last year, experts expect the trend to continue.
On a recent Cincinnati Edition on WVXU, Gregory Stewart of the UC College of Allied Health Sciences was one of the experts on a panel discussing problem gambling, one year after it became legal in Ohio at the start of 2023.
Gregory Stewart of the School of Social Work at the UC College of Allied Health Sciences/Photo/provided
Stewart was asked about the demographics of the people getting into sports betting.
"One of the communities would be the African-American community," said Stewart, who is also the vice chair for communications of the Problem Gambling Prevention and Treatment Coalition of Southwest Ohio. "As we look to what the advertising is centered towards, you see some major celebrities and their outreach. So we would say to many communities, be aware that gambling can be entertaining for many people, but for some individuals, it can be a problem."
Stewart says it is important to let people facing a challenge with gambling addiction know that resources are available.
"One of the things that we hope to have happen with our coalition is we are sharing the news that if there are occasions that a person feels that they themselves have a challenge or if a family member may have a challenge, that there’s resources to help with that," Stewart said.
Stewart said young people especially, with their frequent phone usage, are susceptible to developing gambling problems.
"We know that young people are very savvy with their phones, and there are some safeguards that we are asking the industry to put in place to help prevent access to some of these sports betting apps," he said.
Lead photo/Amit Lahav/Unsplash
Next Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is classified as a Research 1 institution by the Carnegie Commission and is ranked in the National Science Foundation's Top-35 public research universities. UC's graduate students and faculty investigate problems and innovate solutions with real-world impact. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
UC's art collection on display at the Contemporary Arts Center
January 5, 2026
University of Cincinnati leaders joined WVXU's Cincinnati Edition to talk about the university’s 200-year-old art collection, a new exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center and the release of a companion book exploring the collection’s role in education and public engagement.
UC faculty and staff among Rising Star leadership honorees
January 5, 2026
Two UC faculty and staff members are among this year's Rising Star leadership program sponsored by YWCA Greater Cincinnati. Kelli Beecher, assistant professor in the UC College of Nursing, and Brittany Bibb, assistant director of programs and operations in the UC Division of Student Affairs, are among the emerging leaders of 2026. They were featured in the publication Movers & Makers.
What's behind the mysterious rise of migraines?
January 5, 2026
Weather patterns such as extreme heat and storm conditions have been linked to migraine attacks, and research shows those environmental conditions are becoming more common. As National Geographic recently reported, one of the leading theories behind this mysterious rise is that climate change may be playing a role.