Sports betting can be an enjoyable activity for many, but it can also develop into an addiction for others. In September, Kentucky made history by legalizing sports betting, which led to a significant increase in revenue for the state. However, since then, there has been a noticeable surge in sports gambling addiction cases in Kentucky.

The state of Kentucky has generated over $448 million in revenue from both retail and mobile betting since its launch in September, according to a Facebook post by Gov. Andy Beshear.

Mike Stone, with the Kentucky Council on Problem Gambling, said the leading reason gambling addictions are increasing is because sports betting has become more accessible. Stone said the number of calls they’ve gotten for addiction services doubled from September to October.

“The risk factors significantly involved a couple of other areas of access and availability, and with sports gambling, it’s available on mobile applications on cell phones and devices,” said Stone.

There are numerous ways to engage in gambling, like horse races, charitable games, bingos, and raffles. Also, Stone said the lottery has over 2500 sales outlets and convenience stores across the Commonwealth.

This issue impacts children and teenagers between the ages of 6 and 18. The problem worsens during the holiday season due to gifts that promote gambling or betting.

“Now, our particular concern at the moment is as we approach the holiday season. Gift giving is another strong risk factor for developing a gambling problem,” explains Stone. “Evidence shows that the earlier people gamble in their lives and are exposed to gambling in their lives, increases the risk of developing a gambling problem or addiction.”

Children and teens can become exposed to gambling through activities such as playing miniature slot machines, lottery tickets, poker games, and other card games. They can also be exposed to gambling by watching their parents play on their sports betting apps.

“I’m not saying don’t play cards,” he said. “You want to play gin rummy or pinochle as fun and entertainment? Yes, they can become gambling games, but they can also teach a lot of memory, mathematics, and other things that can be involved.”

Brittany Heisner, a clinician with Four Rivers Addiction Services, works with people who have a gambling addiction. She said she treats this with various mind-distracting tactics.

“We utilize different treatment modalities to do that,” Heisner said. “Including cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT. We can utilize that in group sessions as well as individual sessions. And then, of course, we would like them to connect to some community support that could be in the region.”

Heisner noted that gambling addictions are not always linked to financial issues and can cause social exclusion.

“We encourage people to get support, because isolation can really happen with this,” she explains. “It’s important to have healthy boundaries already. Especially with the holidays coming up, knowing if you’re in a situation that you feel triggered, to see that it’s okay to leave and get around supportive people.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem or want to learn more about it. You can call or text 1-800-gambler. That’s 1-800-426-2537 or visit KYgamblinghelp.org and take a self-test to see if you’re on the verge of a gambling addiction.

“It’s through awareness that people will recognize how to gamble and to gamble responsibly,” Stone said.