Problem gambling on the rise in Massachusetts, new report warns

Monthly gamblers in Massachusetts are reporting increased involvement in sports betting, more intense gambling behavior, and a rise in gambling-related harms, according to the latest research conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

However, the findings also suggest that regular gamblers are developing more negative views about gambling overall.

These insights come from two online surveys conducted in spring and fall 2024 by the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) team.

The data builds on previous annual surveys from 2022 and 2023, offering an early look at how the legalization of sports betting – implemented in early 2023 – is affecting residents who gamble frequently.