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Experts concerned about gambling addiction as sports betting becomes legal in Maine

New Hampshire and others states have seen spikes in gamblers seeking help since legalizing sports gambling.

MAINE, USA — It's been close to a month since sports betting became legal in Maine. This is expected to bring in new revenue to the state, but some experts are worried about it leading to an increase in gambling addiction.  

"It’s considered one of the more addictive forms of gambling," Lori Manson, the problem gambling services coordinator at AdCare Maine, said. AdCare Maine is a nonprofit that manages the state's 211 help line. "They can be watching cartoons with their kids, they can be at work, they can be doing just about anything and be gambling.”

Manson said because this form of gambling is so accessible, she expects an increase in calls for addiction treatment, but so far, it’s been quiet.

"I'm really glad about that," Manson told NEWS CENTER Maine. "I’ve only talked to one person so far who’s experiencing a problem with sports betting.”

It’s not been quiet in New Hampshire where sports betting went live in 2019. It was the reason for 47 percent of the help line calls in 2022, according to the New Hampshire Council on Problem Gambling. Sports betting calls beat those related to casinos and the lottery.

"[Sports betting] moved from third pre-pandemic to first place in the number of calls we’ve received from identified problem gamblers," the council's Executive Director Ed Talbot said.

Talbot said for those struggling, there are services out there and people who will understand.

"You can intervene at any time, hopefully stop it at anytime, and the earlier you get it, the better off you are," Talbot said. 

In Maine, Manson expected there to be an eventual increased need for gambling addiction treatment due to sports betting. It's just a matter of when. 

"You need to stop and think about is that healthy or not, and what you can do to limit that more," Manson said.

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