Story perspectives

Legal Sports Betting Spurs 60% Rise in Addictions, Colorado Warns

6/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

Colorado officials have declared sports betting the state’s next public-health crisis.
Epic Research found disorder diagnoses rose 60% to 4.8 per 100,000 in states that legalized sports betting.
Diagnoses fell 30% in states where betting remained illegal, with the sharpest increase among men 18-29.
The American Gaming Association said the rise reflects greater screening and that the industry spends $500 million annually on responsible-gambling programs.

1 of 1

Story summary

Colorado officials have declared sports betting the state’s next public-health crisis.
Epic Research found disorder diagnoses rose 60% to 4.8 per 100,000 in states that legalized sports betting.
Diagnoses fell 30% in states where betting remained illegal, with the sharpest increase among men 18-29.
The American Gaming Association said the rise reflects greater screening and that the industry spends $500 million annually on responsible-gambling programs.