In recent years, the legalization and rapid expansion of sports betting have fundamentally reshaped the gambling landscape in Massachusetts. A comprehensive series of online gambling surveys conducted by researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has revealed significant shifts in both gambling behavior and attitudes among monthly gamblers within the state. These findings, gathered between 2022 and late 2024, provide critical insight into the social and economic ramifications of legalized sports betting and highlight growing concerns about gambling-related harms.
The research, led by Rachel Volberg, a well-respected figure in gambling harms research and epidemiology, scrutinized trends among individuals who engage in gambling activities at least monthly. Although the results cannot be extrapolated to the general population, they furnish valuable evidence about behavioral changes within this active subgroup, providing a crucial barometer for policy makers and public health officials. The research forms part of ongoing investigations by the Social and Economic Impacts of Gambling in Massachusetts (SEIGMA) project funded by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
One of the most striking outcomes of the study revolves around evolving public sentiment. Data indicate a gradual but consistent shift toward more negative attitudes about gambling legality and its societal impact. Between 2022 and 2024, the percentage of monthly gamblers who felt that all forms of gambling should be legal decreased, while those favoring a complete prohibition increased slightly. Concurrently, the proportion of individuals perceiving gambling harms to outweigh benefits rose markedly, exceeding 50% by the fall of 2024. This indicates a growing collective awareness and concern regarding gambling’s adverse effects.
Volberg attributes these attitudinal shifts, in part, to a potent media environment heavily saturated with gambling-related messaging. Starting as early as 2022, widespread promotional efforts and media attention surrounding the imminent legalization of sports betting appear to have influenced gamblers’ perceptions, amplifying awareness of both opportunities and risks. This phenomenon replicates patterns observed during prior expansions of legalized gambling, such as the introduction of casinos in the state, where media exposure modulated public attitudes significantly.
Beyond attitudes, the research documents tangible behavioral transformations aligned with the legalization timeline. Pre-legalization surveys in early 2022 showed that only 16.7% of respondents participated in sports betting in the past year. However, by March 2023—coinciding with the launch of online and mobile sportsbooks—participation soared to 26.9%, further increasing to over 32% by 2024’s subsequent surveys. This sharp rise elucidates the rapid mainstreaming of sports betting facilitated by digital access and regulatory changes.
Focusing specifically on monthly gamblers, there was a notable decline in those who reported never betting on sports, dropping from over 61% in 2022 down to under 47% by late 2024. Correspondingly, the frequency of weekly and monthly sports betting within this group rose substantially. These dynamics underscore not only greater participation rates but also heightened gambling intensity among regular gamblers, signaling an intensification of engagement that carries implications for risk profiles and potential harm.
Interestingly, the study also observed a decline in social or informal sports betting, which decreased from nearly half of monthly gamblers in 2022 to roughly one-third by 2024. The parallel rise in betting through regulated, licensed sportsbooks indicates a marked shift away from underground or peer-based betting environments toward formal, monitored platforms. This transition may reflect both market maturation and the impact of regulatory frameworks aimed at promoting legal, safer gambling channels.
Despite this migration toward legal venues, there remains a persistent and concerning subset of gamblers who either engage exclusively in illegal sports betting or frequently combine legal and illegal betting. While the proportion engaging solely in illicit sports betting dipped from 13.5% in 2022 to 6.8% in 2023, it nudged upward again to 8.3% by late 2024. This resurgence suggests ongoing challenges in fully eradicating illegal betting markets despite regulatory efforts.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the prevalence of problem gambling among monthly gamblers exhibited a steady increase throughout the study period. From 20.9% in 2022, the rate escalated to over 25% in 2023 and reached 28% by fall 2024. Similar patterns were previously documented post-casino introduction, further validating concerns that expansions in legalized gambling correlate with increased problem gambling rates unless balanced by robust harm reduction interventions.
Notably, the surveys highlighted particular domains of gambling-related harm that intensified over time. Financial harms reported rose from 18% to 25% between 2022 and late 2024, while harms relating to family and relationships surged dramatically from 13.9% to over 27%. These data underscore the multifaceted consequences of gambling addiction, affecting not only individual gamblers but also their social environments, thereby amplifying the societal burden.
The researchers emphasize an urgent need for targeted harm reduction strategies specifically addressing sports bettors, including the enhancement and diversification of responsible gambling tools. Support systems must extend beyond generic interventions and provide specialized resources aimed at mitigating financial and relational damages experienced by affected individuals. This tailored approach will be essential to attenuate the negative externalities propelled by the growing sports betting sector.
In summing up these trends, Rachel Volberg warned that the indicators for monthly gamblers are moving in an unfavorable direction, presenting a significant public health challenge. Given that the behaviors and harms are rising despite regulatory frameworks, policymakers face a complex landscape demanding proactive, evidence-based measures to curb gambling-related harm. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing such measures, reinforcing the critical role of surveillance research in informing regulatory decisions.
This ongoing surveillance initiative provides a compelling model for other jurisdictions navigating the legalization of sports betting. By closely tracking behavioral trends and associated harms through methodologically rigorous surveys, commissioners and public health entities can better anticipate adverse outcomes and develop responsive strategies. The integration of empirical research with policymaking exemplifies a responsible, adaptive approach to managing the evolving gambling milieu.
As Massachusetts continues to grapple with the implications of its legal sports betting market, this body of research highlights both the promise and pitfalls of deregulating gambling activities in the digital age. Striking a balance that maximizes economic and recreational benefits while minimizing social and individual harm remains the defining challenge—a challenge that careful, ongoing scientific inquiry is uniquely positioned to help address.
Subject of Research: People
Article Title: Current Trends in Gambling, Sports Betting and Problem Gambling in Massachusetts, 2022-2024
News Publication Date: 31-Jul-2025
Web References:
– SEIGMA Project: http://www.umass.edu/seigma
– Massachusetts Gaming Commission: https://massgaming.com/
– Report on Current Trends: https://www.umass.edu/seigma/documents/current-trends-gambling-sports-betting-and-problem-gambling-massachusetts-2022-2024
Image Credits: UMass Amherst
Keywords: Social sciences, Demography, Economics, Education, Social research, Psychological science, Behavioral psychology
