Arizona Division of Problem Gambling Helping Young Sports Bettors

The legalization of sports betting in Arizona in September 2021 opened the doors to a new world for people in the Grand Canyon State. Particularly for young adults in Arizona. Now putting money down on games seems as easy as posting a picture on Instagram.

Advertisements for sports betting apps are flooding the Valley. You can see them anywhere, from billboards to Twitter. However, it can be very easy for anyone to fall into the deep, dark hole of gambling addiction.

The Arizona Department of Gaming is working to prevent young people in the state from falling victim to problem gambling.

Exclusion solution to youth problem gambling

The Arizona Division of Problem Gambling is warning young adults of the dangers of sports betting and finding themselves in a financial hole.

Anyone 18 years of age and older can bet on sports in Arizona. Meaning college students still reliant on their parents’ wallets can take part. According to the Fantasy Sports and Gaming Association, half of sports bettors are between 18 and 34 years old, and only 45% of them have full-time jobs.

The division has an online quiz with questions designed to get the user to think about the possibility that they might have a problem. One of the questions states, “Has there ever been a period when, if you lost money gambling one day, you would often return another day to get even?”

The ADG has solutions for anyone looking to cut themselves off from betting.

There is an Event Wagering & Fantasy Sports Contests Self-Exclusion form on the website. There, you can pick out a period of time to exclude yourself from sports betting using an in-person casino or mobile apps and non-tribal retailers options. The time period you choose can include a year, five years or even a decade. However, once you make that request, you will not be able to change it or have it reversed.

Preventing problem gambling in Arizona

There are endless opportunities to gamble in Arizona. Just look at social media. Since the state’s launch of legal sports betting, our Facebook and Twitter feeds have been bombarded with ads for AZ sportsbooks. Not to mention the laundry list of advertisements for sports betting apps we see during commercials while watching games.

From September 2021 to February 2022, Arizona’s sportsbooks have placed $2.8 billion in online and retail wagers. Sports betting can be a fun adventure. However, it is easy to get sucked in with so many exciting games and ads portraying betting as a can’t-lose scenario.

Furthermore, people can lose a lot when addicted to sports gambling, like their careers, house or relationships. The ADG’s Problem Gambling division exists to prevent that by informing younger adults of the future impact betting can have.

You can also find additional resources by using the Treatment Assistance Program on the department’s website.