New Study Raises Massachusetts Sports Betting Concerns

A recent university study is raising concerns about the current state of Massachusetts sports betting, and the larger impact it's having on the population.

Conducted by the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the research apparently shows residents of The Bay State are “engaging” in sports betting activities on an increased basis. That rate at which participation has climbed is apparently high enough that it’s raising alarms for many. In particular, the study shows that this heightened activity is the catalyst for “surge in gambling-related harms.”

Of course, the research conducted covers all forms of gambling. It is not just isolating sports betting in Massachusetts. However, experts who have seen the results believe that the legalization of Massachusetts sports betting is among the lead “contributing factors” to this trend.

Negative Sentiments Toward Massachusetts Sports Betting are on the Rise, Too

Here is an overview of the key findings from this new study, courtesy of News Net 5:

“Rachel Volberg, an epidemiologist and the lead researcher for the Study of Gambling Markets in Massachusetts (SEIGMA), shared notable findings with the Massachusetts Gaming Commission on July 31. The data showed a growing awareness among gamblers regarding the negative impacts of gambling. The percentage of monthly gamblers who believe gambling causes more harm than good climbed steadily from 48 percent in 2022 to 53 percent in early 2024, reaching 56 percent by fall 2024. Volberg attributes this shift partly to the extensive media attention and aggressive marketing campaigns that have been prominent since legal sports betting was introduced.

Additionally, the proportion of individuals struggling with gambling problems has also risen—from 20.9 percent in 2022 to 25.6 percent in 2023, increasing further to 28 percent by fall 2024. Financial troubles linked to gambling among monthly gamblers have seen a notable increase, growing from 18 percent in 2022 to 25 percent in 2024. Relationship and family difficulties related to gambling have almost doubled during this period, from 13.9 percent to 27.2 percent.”

Even for those who support (and enjoy) Massachusetts sports betting, studies like this are important. Every industry has downsides. There is no difference for sports betting in the United States. If anything, the pitfalls are more pronounced, because it’s a relatively new industry. The Supreme Court of the United States only overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act back in 2018. That’s fewer than 10 years ago.

While 40 states will offer some form of gambling by the end of 2025, not every market joined the fold right away. We are only just starting to fully understand sports betting’s impact on mental health and socioeconomic well-being.

The Rise of Online Sports Betting has Fueled Increased Activity

Though sports betting is behind the groundswell of overall gambling issues, online accessibility is the primary driver of it. The vast majority of bets placed in the United States are processed through an online sportsbook. The Massachusetts sports betting market is no exception.

Just consider the latest revenue reports for Massachusetts sports betting. During the month of June, sportsbooks reported a total revenue of $62.1 million. Around $61.6 million of that came from online sportsbooks in Massachusetts. That is over 99 percent of the entire profit margin.

This makes sense when you really think about it. People can bet on sports online from anywhere. They don’t even need to be in their homes anymore. The proliferation of online sports betting applications permits anyone to get started from their phone or any other mobile device. This is promoted as convenience, because, well, it is convenience. But unfettered access to anything always gives way to problems. It’s not surprising that the Massachusetts sports betting market has experienced more financial issues. In fact, it’s expected.

Every state that has launched some form of legal sports betting eventually reports an uptick in problem gambling issues. The financial fallout is relatively new, but only because, again, the industry isn’t super established. It can also take years to gather intel significant enough to draw profound conclusions. With Massachusetts sports betting having launched in 2023, The Bay State is now entering that territory.

Will Anything About Sports Betting in Massachusetts Change?

This is a question being asked across most markets with online sports betting. The answer is complicated. In most cases, it’s a resounding “no.” There’s too much money at stake for both the state and operators.

However, in the case of Massachusetts sports betting, Senator John Keenan is pushing for the Better Health Act. Among other things, this legislation would require sportsbooks to set individual gambling limits, commission extensive financial background checks, and limit the scope and scale of their online advertisements and promotions. It would also aim to raise the Massachusetts sports betting tax.

Reception of this initiative is, predictably, mixed. Massachusetts online sportsbooks will no doubt fight tooth and nail against it. But if negative perception of online sports betting in Massachusetts really is on the rise, operators may have to accept more stringent restrictions to prevent the entire industry from bottoming out.

Moreover, if Massachusetts eventually passes the Better Health Act or implements a similar approach, it will set a precedent for the rest of the country. Initiatives like that could become the regulatory standard. And if we’re being honest, that trend feels inevitable. It’s just a matter of which state is the first to aggressively push it, and when it goes into effect. As for whether Massachusetts will be that state, we’ll have to wait and see.

Take a look at this list of the top online sportsbooks so you can find one that works for all of your sports betting needs: