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Researchers found a 5% to 7% increase in anxiety and depression diagnoses and related prescriptions in states that legalized online sports betting, according to a CBS19 report published Oct. 19. The findings covered both men and women and drew on health insurance claims from January 2016 through December 2023.
Researchers compared claims across states
The study compared claims in states that legalized online sports betting with those in states that had not legalized it by the end of 2023, according to the CBS19 report.
The reported increases involved anti-anxiety medication prescriptions, antidepressant prescriptions and outpatient diagnoses for depression and anxiety.
“We’ve never seen gambling and sports betting and other forms of gambling be more accessible or really inescapable than they are now,” Mark Meiselbach said in the report, explaining the motivation for the research.
The report also described potential signs of gambling-related problems, including difficulty controlling gambling behavior, staying up late to chase losses and constantly checking scores. It said sports betting can be associated with increased substance use and mental health consequences.
Study details and West Virginia findings remain unclear
The available report does not identify the states included in the analysis or provide West Virginia-specific results. It therefore does not establish the size of any change in the state.
The report also does not specify the sample size, publication venue or peer-review status. Its summary describes an association between legalization and health measures, not proof that online sports betting caused the reported increases.
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Source: As reported by CBS19.
This article was created with the assistance of AI and is monitored by our editorial team.
