UNLV Research Links Sports Betting to Increased Binge Drinking

A study from UNLV shows that people who bet on sports tend to drink more alcohol excessively.

A study from UNLV and the University of New Mexico has found that people who bet on sports tend to drink a lot more than people who don't. The study, called "Double Trouble: The Risks of Mixing Alcohol and Sports Wagering," explains that sports bettors, including those into esports and fantasy sports, are almost twice as likely to drink too much.

Key Findings from the Study

• Sports bettors are 1.9 times more likely to binge drink.
• Excessive drinking is 5+ drinks for men and 4+ for women in a session.
• Risk increases with more frequent gambling.
• Binge drinking is linked to chronic diseases and other health risks.
• Male and female bettors both show higher binge drinking rates.

Health Risks of Binge Drinking

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that one out of every six adults drinks too much alcohol at one time, and a quarter of these people do this often. Even though lots of people who drink this way aren't addicted to alcohol, it's still not safe. Drinking a lot at once can cause serious health issues, including high blood pressure, strokes, and different kinds of cancer. It also makes people more likely to catch sexually transmitted diseases, get into fights, or harm their partners.

Sports Betting and Alcohol Use

After the 2018 Supreme Court decision, betting on sports is now allowed in many places across the U.S. A recent study suggests that being able to bet on sports more easily could be leading to more people misusing alcohol. The study shows it's important to teach people about the dangers of drinking a lot while also gambling on sports.

Sports betting is constantly evolving.

The ban on sports gambling in the US was removed, and now, instead of just being legal in Nevada, people can bet on sports in 38 states and Washington, DC. Among these, 31 states have made it possible to bet online. Because sports betting has grown so quickly, it seems to be more commonly involved in problems with drinking too much alcohol.

Ongoing Research Required

The study's authors say it's important to keep studying how modern betting tech impacts drinking problems. They want to find out how sports betting and heavy drinking together can harm health and how to stop it.

The studies from UNLV and the University of New Mexico found that people who bet on sports are more likely to drink too much. This shows we need to learn more about this issue and teach people about the dangers.