Problem gambling on the rise in Ohio, warn experts

• In April, a packed sports calendar is expected to see millions of fans place wagers
• Problem gambling experts in Ohio warned about the dangers of gambling and encouraged bettors to make informed decisions and better understand the risks of the activity
• Derek Longmeier, the executive director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, comments on the topic

Gambling experts in Ohio encouraged bettors across the state to wager with caution and better understand the risks related to gambling.

The announcement comes ahead of the action-packed spring sports season, full of NFL and MLB action.

Millions of sports fans are expected to bet in April

On Tuesday this week, Ohio for Responsible Gambling, an initiative promoting responsible gambling in the state, warned about the growing number of problem and at-risk gambling cases.

Its announcement comes just ahead of the start of the Major League Baseball season, the NFL Draft and the NCAA Final Four.

Considering the popularity of those events, millions of fans are expected to place wagers.

In this context, Ohio for Responsible Gambling pointed to problem gambling data revealing a concerning trend.

In 2012, the rate of problem gambling in the state was an estimated 0.4%.

A decade later, in 2022, problem gambling soared to 2.8%, a figure that represents approximately 255,000 adults in Ohio.

If compared, the number of problem gamblers is roughly equivalent to the population of Toledo, the fourth most populous city in the state.

In Ohio, a statewide awareness campaign seeks to limit the negative impact of sports betting.

The campaign, Pause Before You Play, encourages bettors to use time, spending and deposit limits when engaging in sports betting or other types of gambling.

Derek Longmeier, executive director of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, acknowledged that while the latest problem gambling data is from 2022, it suggests a surge in the problem gambling cases over the past decade, Casino Guru News learned from a press release.

"Because this data is only collected every five years, it doesn't yet capture the full impact of mobile sports betting and newer platforms. The problem is growing exponentially and that's particularly concerning as we head into a packed sports calendar," he added.

Longmeier pointed to the number of major sports events and highlighted the increasing opportunities for Ohioans to gamble, adding that many are expected to place bets.

Finally, the expert said that it is imperative for bettors to understand the risks associated with gambling and use limits.

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