College students’ classification of fantasy sports and loot boxes relates to problem gambling risk was examined. Among 4,016 students, 8.7% participated in fantasy sports and 21.7% in loot boxes. Controlling for demographics and gambling breadth, fantasy sports participants who did not view it as gambling had significantly lower problem gambling risk (OR=0.29). For loot boxes, those who classified it as gambling showed elevated risk regardless of participation (participants OR=2.74; non-participants OR=1.82). Findings have implications for understanding risk factors in emerging gambling forms and developing education approaches for different activity types.
Tennessee, lacking commercial casinos, sees its urban centers—Nashville and Memphis—shaped by online sports betting and proximity to out-of-state casinos. Nashville, a growing entertainment hub, contrasts with Memphis, where nearby casinos like Southland and Tunica are easily accessible. Nashville residents face longer commutes to racinos like Kentucky Downs. This poster presents a public health framework for examining how cross-border gambling, online betting, and urban vulnerabilities intersect with tourism and resident behavior. It explores gambling-related distress, vulnerabilities, gaps in prevention and treatment, and the need for tailored strategies in Tennessee’s unique non-casino context, informing future research and policy development.
This study aims to provide new insights into gambling behaviors and their financial impacts during the 2023–2024 period. It examines how gambling activity varies across sociodemographic groups, explores the relationship between gambling engagement and financial health, identifies subgroups of gamblers based on behavioral patterns, and tracks changes within these subgroups over time. The analysis is being conducted using an anonymized open banking dataset from the United Kingdom, encompassing over 1.8 million users.
NCPG is the only national advocate for those with a gambling problem and their loved ones. NCPG advocates in the halls of Congress for gambling addiction to be recognized by the federal government and for resources to be made available to states and tribes to prevent and treat gambling addiction. This year, NCPG supported the introduction of the Providing Opportunities for Individuals in Need of Treatment and Support (POINTS) Act. That bill would create the first ever federal funding stream to states and tribes to prevent and treat gambling addiction. This legislation is the first bipartisan bill introduced in Congress focused on gambling addiction in 15 years.
In 2025, the National Problem Gambling Helpline™ responded to more than 377,000 contacts across calls, chats, and texts, revealing a changing landscape of gambling and help-seeking in the United States. Younger and more diverse populations are reaching out for help, while online gambling and sports betting continue to expand. Contacts are lasting longer and reflecting more complex needs, particularly related to financial stress and mental health. This poster shares key demographic, behavioral, and operational trends, and highlights opportunities to strengthen helpline services, improve data quality, and better support individuals experiencing gambling-related harm.
Identifying the characteristics of at-risk youth gamblers is essential for prevention and early intervention and primary prevention programs show promise to reduce risk. For youth already experiencing gambling problems, alternative approaches to early intervention may be warranted. Using data from the Minnesota Student Survey (2025) a large statewide population-based sample of 8th, 9th and 11th graders assessing gambling and mental health concerns. Dr. King will provide recommendations for adolescent screening and prevention of problem gambling. A novel and nuanced approach to supplement, support, and improve prevention and early intervention programs for treatment providers is discussed.
