Author: Ashlee Olujic, Director of Tribal and Community Engagement at ICRG
There are 575 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States. 575.
That number alone should probably tell us something important: there is no single “Tribal approach” to responsible gaming.
If you have visited one Tribal Nation, congratulations. You have visited exactly one Tribal Nation. I say that with a little humor, but it is something I find myself explaining often in my work. Tribal communities are still regularly talked about as though we are one population with the same cultures, challenges, resources, and priorities.
We are not.
Tribal Nations are sovereign governments, each with their own histories, cultures, languages, economies, geographic realities, gaming operations, and community priorities.
Spoiler alert: we did not all get together and agree on one way to do things.
And honestly, would any group of 575 governments?
Different Communities. Different Realities.
Think about the differences just within Tribal gaming.
A rural casino serving a local population has very different needs than a large destination resort welcoming thousands of visitors. One Nation may have a strong behavioral health infrastructure and established prevention programs, while another may have community members traveling hours to access specialized services.
Some Nations operate sportsbooks. Some are navigating mobile wagering and emerging products. Some are deeply concerned about youth exposure. Others may be focused on employee education, access to treatment, prevention messaging, or understanding gambling behaviors within their communities.
Even the words we use around wellness, prevention, family, and asking for help can carry different meanings from one community to another.
So when we talk about culturally relevant Tribal responsible gaming, we have to start there.
And no, culturally relevant does not mean taking the same brochure, adding a feather to it, and calling it the “Tribal version.”
Please don’t. We have enough feathers.
Start by Asking Questions
True cultural relevance is actually much less flashy: It starts by asking questions.
- What are Tribal leaders hearing from their communities?
- What are casino employees seeing?
- What are parents concerned about?
- What are young people being exposed to?
- What resources already exist?
- Where are the gaps?
And perhaps the most important question: What does this Nation want to know?
That question matters tremendously when we talk about research.
Community-Focused Tribal Gambling Research
There are still significant gaps in Tribal-specific gambling research and data. We need more research, absolutely. But “more research” should not mean developing a question somewhere else and then showing up in a Tribal community looking for people to study.
That is research in a community. Community-driven research is research with a community.
There is a big difference.
One Nation may want to understand youth exposure to sports betting, prediction markets, or other emerging forms of wagering. Another may want to know whether its current responsible gaming messaging is actually reaching community members. Another may be focused on employee training, barriers to seeking help, or strengthening prevention.
Different Nations. Different questions. Different priorities.
We Don’t Need 575 Wheels
Now, before anyone pictures creating 575 completely different responsible gaming programs and develops an immediate stress headache, that is not what I am suggesting.
We do not need to reinvent the wheel 575 times.
There is tremendous value in sharing research, evidence-based practices, training resources, and lessons learned across Indian Country. If something is working, let’s talk about it. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s build on good work instead of starting over every time.
But sharing is different from standardizing.
- The research can be shared.
- The tools can be shared.
- The science can be shared.
Simple Tribal Community Investments
How those things come to life in a community should be shaped by the community.
Sometimes that might mean incorporating language, cultural teachings, family systems, traditional approaches to wellness, or community events. Sometimes it might mean changing where information is delivered or who delivers it.
And sometimes it might mean hearing, “Actually, that’s not what we need.”
That answer matters, too.
Relationships Before Resources
The longer I work in responsible gaming, the more I believe some of our best work does not begin with a brochure, a training module, a research proposal, or a beautifully designed PowerPoint. And as someone who loves a good PowerPoint, I do not say that lightly.
It begins with relationships.
It begins with showing up. Listening. Asking better questions. Being willing to hear the answer. And understanding that Tribal Nations are not simply another demographic we are trying to “reach.”
They are sovereign Nations and partners in this work.
There are 575 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States. That does not mean we need 575 versions of everything. But it absolutely means we should stop expecting one version of anything to work everywhere.
Different Nations. Different needs.
And our responsible gaming work should be smart enough, flexible enough, and respectful enough to recognize the difference.
One Size Does Not Fit 575 Tribal Nations: Different Nations. Different Needs.
Author: Ashlee Olujic, Director of Tribal and Community Engagement at ICRG
There are 575 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States. 575.
That number alone should probably tell us something important: there is no single “Tribal approach” to responsible gaming.
If you have visited one Tribal Nation, congratulations. You have visited exactly one Tribal Nation. I say that with a little humor, but it is something I find myself explaining often in my work. Tribal communities are still regularly talked about as though we are one population with the same cultures, challenges, resources, and priorities.
We are not.
Tribal Nations are sovereign governments, each with their own histories, cultures, languages, economies, geographic realities, gaming operations, and community priorities.
Spoiler alert: we did not all get together and agree on one way to do things.
And honestly, would any group of 575 governments?
Different Communities. Different Realities.
Think about the differences just within Tribal gaming.
A rural casino serving a local population has very different needs than a large destination resort welcoming thousands of visitors. One Nation may have a strong behavioral health infrastructure and established prevention programs, while another may have community members traveling hours to access specialized services.
Some Nations operate sportsbooks. Some are navigating mobile wagering and emerging products. Some are deeply concerned about youth exposure. Others may be focused on employee education, access to treatment, prevention messaging, or understanding gambling behaviors within their communities.
Even the words we use around wellness, prevention, family, and asking for help can carry different meanings from one community to another.
So when we talk about culturally relevant Tribal responsible gaming, we have to start there.
And no, culturally relevant does not mean taking the same brochure, adding a feather to it, and calling it the “Tribal version.”
Please don’t. We have enough feathers.
Start by Asking Questions
True cultural relevance is actually much less flashy: It starts by asking questions.
And perhaps the most important question: What does this Nation want to know?
That question matters tremendously when we talk about research.
Community-Focused Tribal Gambling Research
There are still significant gaps in Tribal-specific gambling research and data. We need more research, absolutely. But “more research” should not mean developing a question somewhere else and then showing up in a Tribal community looking for people to study.
That is research in a community. Community-driven research is research with a community.
There is a big difference.
One Nation may want to understand youth exposure to sports betting, prediction markets, or other emerging forms of wagering. Another may want to know whether its current responsible gaming messaging is actually reaching community members. Another may be focused on employee training, barriers to seeking help, or strengthening prevention.
Different Nations. Different questions. Different priorities.
We Don’t Need 575 Wheels
Now, before anyone pictures creating 575 completely different responsible gaming programs and develops an immediate stress headache, that is not what I am suggesting.
We do not need to reinvent the wheel 575 times.
There is tremendous value in sharing research, evidence-based practices, training resources, and lessons learned across Indian Country. If something is working, let’s talk about it. Let’s learn from one another. Let’s build on good work instead of starting over every time.
But sharing is different from standardizing.
Simple Tribal Community Investments
How those things come to life in a community should be shaped by the community.
Sometimes that might mean incorporating language, cultural teachings, family systems, traditional approaches to wellness, or community events. Sometimes it might mean changing where information is delivered or who delivers it.
And sometimes it might mean hearing, “Actually, that’s not what we need.”
That answer matters, too.
Relationships Before Resources
The longer I work in responsible gaming, the more I believe some of our best work does not begin with a brochure, a training module, a research proposal, or a beautifully designed PowerPoint. And as someone who loves a good PowerPoint, I do not say that lightly.
It begins with relationships.
It begins with showing up. Listening. Asking better questions. Being willing to hear the answer. And understanding that Tribal Nations are not simply another demographic we are trying to “reach.”
They are sovereign Nations and partners in this work.
There are 575 federally recognized Tribal Nations in the United States. That does not mean we need 575 versions of everything. But it absolutely means we should stop expecting one version of anything to work everywhere.
Different Nations. Different needs.
And our responsible gaming work should be smart enough, flexible enough, and respectful enough to recognize the difference.
What Happens in Vegas Shouldn’t Always Stay in Vegas
Author: Ashlee Olujic, Director of Tribal and Community Engagement at ICRG
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?
Maybe that works for the questionable karaoke choice (or scare-aoke), the shoes that seemed comfortable at the beginning of the day, or the exact number of snacks and freebies collected from exhibit booths. But the conversations, ideas, and relationships formed at G2E should absolutely come home with us.
G2E created an incredible space for Tribal leaders, regulators, operators, researchers, and responsible gaming professionals to connect. Tribal voices were present throughout the conference, helping lead conversations about sovereignty, innovation, regulation, emerging technology, community investment, and the future of gaming.
The conference did what a great conference should do: it brought people together.
The next part is up to us.
A Business Card Is Just the Beginning
Conferences are wonderful places to make introductions. We exchange business cards, connect on LinkedIn before the other person has even walked away, and confidently say, “We should definitely follow up!”
Then we return home, unpack the conference tote bag, put the business cards somewhere “safe,” and open an inbox that somehow doubled in size while we were gone.
That is when the relationship-building begins.
In my work with Tribal communities, I have learned that trust develops through consistency. It means remembering what someone shared, sending the information you promised, making the introduction you offered, and continuing to show up after the conference badge comes off.
A conference conversation may be brief, but it can become the beginning of something meaningful.
It might lead to a research partnership, an employee training, a webinar, a youth prevention initiative, a new Tribal responsible gaming resource, or simply another conversation with the right people at the table.
Not every introduction needs to become a five-year strategic plan by Tuesday morning. Relationships take time. Still, we should be intentional about carrying the momentum forward.
Turning Listening Into Action
One of the greatest benefits of attending a conference like G2E is the opportunity to listen directly to Tribal leaders and professionals working closest to the issues.
They may raise questions about youth exposure, digital gambling, sports betting, prediction markets, employee education, player protection, or gaps in Tribal-specific research. Those conversations help organizations like ICRG better understand where research and education may be most useful.
Listening is the first step. Follow-through is what gives that listening meaning.
If a Tribal leader identifies a research gap, the next step might be bringing that question to researchers. If employees need additional responsible gaming education, it might mean exploring a new training opportunity. If a community is concerned about youth exposure to gambling-like products, it might begin with another meeting focused on teen gambling prevention.
The goal is not to leave a conference with all the answers. The goal is to leave with better questions, stronger relationships, and a clearer understanding of what communities are asking for.
Building a Complete Pathway Toward Tribal Responsible Gaming
Conference conversations also remind us that responsible gaming cannot exist as one isolated program.
Research should inform prevention, employee education, leadership decisions, and player protection tools. Those efforts should connect individuals and families with appropriate community support. Community experience should then help shape the next generation of research questions.
When these pieces are connected, responsible gaming becomes a pathway rather than a checkbox.
Tribal Nations must remain at the center of determining what that pathway looks like within their own communities. Every Nation has its own government, culture, history, gaming environment, resources, and priorities. Respecting Tribal sovereignty means recognizing that communities should help define both the questions and the solutions.
Pack the Ideas With the Lanyard
As a Native woman working in responsible gaming research and Tribal engagement, I left G2E encouraged by the Tribal leadership, knowledge, and collaboration I saw throughout the conference.
I also came home with a responsibility to follow through.
Conferences give us the opportunity to meet, listen, learn, and imagine what might be possible. What happens afterward determines whether that momentum continues.
So yes, leave the questionable karaoke performance in Vegas.
But bring home the conversations, the commitments, and the willingness to keep building relationships that create lasting value for Tribal communities.
Balance and Stewardship: A Tribal Lens on Responsible Gaming
Author: Ashlee Olujic, Director of Tribal and Community Engagement at ICRG
In many Tribal communities, stewardship is not a new concept. We understand that having access to something does not mean taking without limits. We hunt, but we do not overhunt. We fish, but we do not take every fish from the water. We gather with an understanding that something must remain for those who come after us.
Traditions differ across Tribal Nations, but the broader ideas of balance, responsibility, and care for future generations are familiar throughout Indian Country.
So what would it look like if we thought about responsible gaming in a similar way?
Responsibility Does Not Mean Prohibition
Responsible stewardship does not mean avoiding a resource altogether. It means understanding our relationship with it and recognizing when that relationship becomes out of balance.
The same can be true of gaming. For many adults, gambling is entertainment. For Tribal Nations, gaming is also an exercise of sovereignty and an economic engine that supports governmental services and community priorities.
Responsible gaming should not simply mean telling people, “Don’t gamble.” It should mean creating environments where adults who choose to play have the information, protections, and tools they need to make informed decisions and maintain balance. And that requires looking beyond what happens when someone is already experiencing harm.
Looking Upstream
We would never determine the health of a lake by looking only at the fish we have already caught. We look at the water, the habitat, what is entering the system, what is changing, and what will remain for future generations. Tribal responsible gaming deserves that same whole-picture approach.
Instead of asking only how we respond to gambling-related harm, we should also ask what happens earlier. What are young people learning about gambling and risk? How are emerging forms of wagering changing people’s exposure? What helps someone maintain healthy boundaries? What are the early signs that balance may be shifting?
And perhaps most importantly: What don’t we know yet?
That is where prevention and research become part of responsible gaming.
Research Is Stewardship, Too
The gaming landscape is changing quickly, and research does not always move at the same pace. Investing in independent research helps us better understand gambling behavior, emerging products, prevention, responsible gaming tools, and the factors that may protect people from harm. For Tribal Nations, it is also important that research reflects the communities it is intended to serve.
Indian Country is not one community. Tribal Nations have distinct governments, cultures, histories, economies, and priorities. Research should recognize those differences, and Tribal Nations should have opportunities to help identify the questions that matter to their communities.
There is a meaningful difference between conducting research about Tribal communities and conducting research with Tribal Nations. That is where research and sovereignty intersect.
What Comes Next for Tribal Responsible Gaming
Stewardship asks us to think beyond what is in front of us today. Responsible gaming can do the same. It means creating safe environments for people who choose to play. It means investing in responsible gambling education and prevention before there is a crisis. It means building knowledge before we urgently need the answers. And it means respecting the sovereignty of Tribal Nations to determine what responsible gaming looks like for their own communities.
When we care for our lands and resources, we are not thinking only about what we can use today. We are thinking about what we leave for the generations that come next.
Responsible gaming deserves that same perspective.
Are the decisions we make today helping leave our communities stronger for tomorrow?
From the Classroom to the Director’s Chair: Rethinking Next Generation Gambling Prevention
Author: Ashlee Olujic, Director of Tribal and Community Engagement at ICRG
When I was in the classroom, I had a front-row seat to see how quickly the outside world makes its way into the lives of our youth. Long before children reach adulthood, they are already absorbing the behaviors, habits, and risks they see around them.
What has changed dramatically is the environment in which that is happening. With smartphones and digital platforms now part of everyday life, the lines between gaming, entertainment, social media, and gambling have become increasingly difficult to distinguish. I watched students interact with loot boxes, virtual currencies, sports odds, and other gambling-like features on their screens, often without recognizing them as gambling or understanding the financial and emotional risks behind them.
That experience reinforced something I continue to carry into my work today: prevention cannot begin when someone turns 18 or 21. By then, many of the behaviors, expectations, and ideas about risk and reward have already been shaped.
Bridging the Gap Between Observation and Community Action
Stepping out of the classroom and into the role of Director of Tribal and Community Engagement at ICRG has given me a new vantage point, but my core mission has not changed. As a Native woman, my outlook is deeply rooted in responsibility to the community and the protection of our next seven generations. In Tribal communities, our young people are our future leaders, culture bearers, and storytellers. Protecting them requires us to look ahead, recognize emerging risks, and build strong safeguards before harm takes root.
In the classroom, educators see the early warning signs: distracted minds, changing behaviors, and the normalized presence of risk-based digital games. As Director of Tribal and Community Engagement, my work centers on translating those everyday classroom observations into meaningful community partnerships, actionable research, and culturally grounded solutions.
Teen Gambling Prevention Through Youth Gambling Education
Teen gambling prevention must begin before patterns of behavior and exposure become deeply ingrained. Through authentic community engagement and youth gambling education, we can bridge the gap between classroom reality and effective prevention by:
Supporting Our Next Generation Tribal Leaders
Transitioning from an educator to leading Tribal and community engagement at ICRG is not about stepping away from community. It is about bringing our voices, sovereignty, and lived experiences directly to the forefront of responsible gaming research and education. By leveraging our collective strength and centering our cultural values, we can ensure that as technology and gaming evolve, our support for emerging Native leaders evolves even faster.
From Bingo Halls To Major Economic Engines: The Evolution Of Tribal Gaming
For decades, gaming has played a transformative role in Tribal communities across the United States. What began as small operations evolved into a multibillion-dollar industry that supports housing, healthcare, education and infrastructure for many Tribal nations.
Today, Tribal casinos are among the most influential forces in the gaming industry, generating revenue that supports long-term Tribal economic development and creates jobs in both Native and non-Native communities. Understanding the evolution of Tribal gaming offers insight into how the industry became a major economic engine nationwide.
Early Tribal Gaming History
During the 1970s and 1980s, many Tribal nations operated modest bingo halls and card rooms as a way to generate independent revenue. These operations provided communities with an opportunity to strengthen self-sufficiency while navigating limited economic resources.
Several Tribal governments expanded their bingo operations after state laws allowed charitable gaming activities. This led to legal challenges between Tribal nations and states that shaped the future of the industry. The passage of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) in 1988 became one of the defining moments in Tribal gaming history. The legislation established a framework for regulating Tribal gaming while reaffirming Tribal sovereignty and establishing a framework for federally recognized Tribal Nations to operate gaming facilities on Tribal lands.
Evolution Of Tribal Gaming: Tribal Casino Growth And The Igra Impact
Tribal gaming evolved rapidly after the IGRA created clearer regulatory standards. Tribal nations began developing larger casinos, hotels, entertainment venues and resort destinations that could compete with commercial gaming operators. Some key impacts of the IGRA included:
The growth of Tribal gaming also created employment opportunities. Tribal casinos now support hundreds of thousands of jobs in hospitality, entertainment, finance, food service and tourism. In many regions, Tribal gaming facilities serve as major economic anchors that attract visitors and stimulate surrounding local businesses.
Tribal Economic Development: A National Economic Force
While the scale and scope of gaming operations vary widely among Tribal Nations, gaming continues to provide many communities with opportunities for economic development, self-governance, and investments in community wellbeing. Many Tribal enterprises now include luxury resorts, concert venues, golf courses, restaurants and retail centers that contribute to regional tourism economies. Tribal nations have also diversified their investments into sectors such as renewable energy, construction, technology and real estate, using gaming revenue to support broader economic stability.
At the same time, conversations surrounding responsible gaming have become more important throughout the gaming industry. Increasingly, Tribal Nations are looking beyond treatment alone and investing in prevention-focused approaches that help communities understand player behavior and address potential concerns before harm occurs.
Exploring The Need For Responsible Gaming Research
Responsible gaming research plays a critical role in helping operators, policymakers and Tribal communities make well-informed decisions that prioritize player wellbeing alongside economic growth. Organizations like the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) fund independent scientific studies that examine gambling behaviors, prevention strategies and treatment approaches. Through evidence-based research, ICRG helps educate the public on safer and more responsible forms of gambling while working to reduce stigma for those experiencing problem gambling.
To learn more about our unbiased, peer-reviewed research, visit icrg.org.
Sports Betting Trends And How Tribes Are Shaping The Future Of The Industry
Sports betting has rapidly transformed the gaming landscape in the United States. Tribal Nations have emerged as major leaders in this evolving space, using their longstanding expertise in gaming operations to protect Tribal sovereignty, support community priorities, and adapt to changing consumer habits and technology. As more states expand legalized wagering, Tribal communities are finding new ways to balance economic opportunity with responsible gaming initiatives.
Tribal gaming has long served as an important source of economic development for Native communities. However, for many Tribal Nations, decisions surrounding sports betting are not solely about revenue. They are also about protecting community wellness and ensuring opportunities remain sustainable for future generations. The growth of online sports betting has also sparked conversations about public education, consumer protection and the role of Tribal governments in shaping the future of the industry.
Understanding Tribal Sports Betting Trends
Gaming preferences and player expectations have evolved dramatically over the last several years, and Tribal leaders have taken notice. With the continued rise of legalized sports wagering, bettors increasingly expect fast, convenient and mobile-friendly experiences that allow them to engage in gambling from virtually anywhere. In response, Tribal leaders are adapting to new market conditions by:
With these investments in mobile sports betting, Tribal Nations can maintain secure and regulated gaming environments while continuing to support economic development, community priorities, and long-term sustainability.
The Role Of Tribal Sportsbook Partnerships In Industry Growth
Strategic Tribal sportsbook partnerships are becoming increasingly common throughout the gaming industry. By partnering with experienced sportsbook technology providers, tribes can expand their offerings while maintaining Tribal control over gaming operations and supporting Tribal sovereignty.
These collaborations often provide tribes with access to:
Such partnerships allow Tribal gaming operators to compete in an increasingly crowded market while continuing to deliver unique entertainment experiences rooted in Tribal hospitality and community values.
Tribal Sports Betting Regulation Efforts
With the expansion of legalized sports wagering, Tribal Nations that operate sports betting programs will continue working with lawmakers and gaming commissions to establish fair and sustainable frameworks for the industry. Tribal governments remain highly involved in conversations surrounding licensing, taxation, consumer protection and oversight. As sports betting expands, many Tribal Nations are also exploring prevention-focused responsible gaming initiatives designed to support player wellness, reduce stigma, and better understand gambling behaviors before problems occur.
Responsible Gaming Research And The Future Of Tribal Sports Betting
Equally important is the growing emphasis on responsible gaming education, prevention, and research. The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) funds independent research that helps Tribal Nations, regulators, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and gaming operators better understand gambling behavior, prevention strategies, and emerging trends. This research supports informed decision-making while helping create healthier gaming environments and reducing stigma surrounding gambling-related harm.
To learn more about our unbiased, peer-reviewed research, visit icrg.org.
CAN PROBLEM GAMBLING COEXIST WITH OTHER MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES?
Gambling-related harm often occurs alongside other mental health conditions, reflecting a broader pattern of co-occurring disorders, or what clinicians refer to as comorbidity. Understanding this link between gambling and mental health is vital because the presence of one disorder can often mask, exacerbate, or even trigger the other.
The Hard Truth About Gambling And Mental Health
Gambling disorder and broader patterns of problematic gambling behavior are characterized by difficulty limiting time or money spent on gambling, which may lead to negative personal or social outcomes. Individuals experiencing gambling-related difficulties may:
The expansion of online sports betting has increased accessibility, which may contribute to higher exposure and, for some individuals, increased risk of developing gambling-related difficulties.
Common Co-Occurring Disorders Of Problem Gambling
Problem gambling is often not the only behavioral challenge players can face. Research indicates that gambling disorder is one of the most comorbid conditions in psychiatry. Data from the National Comorbidity Study suggests that up to 96% of individuals with a gambling disorder meet the criteria for at least one other lifetime psychiatric disorder, and more than 60% report with three or more.
Some of the most common-occurring disorders of problem gambling include:
The Importance Of Sports Betting-Related Mental Health Research
The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) has been at the forefront of identifying how these associations manifest, specifically within the rapidly growing sector of sports wagering.
According to a 2026 study published in Addictive Behaviors, depression and anxiety are significantly related to problem sports betting. The research identified coping methods among participants, such as using betting as a form of self-medication to deal with negative emotion, escape the numbing effects of depression or quiet the high-frequency noise of anxiety. Some participants reported using betting as a way to manage negative emotional states, with short-term reinforcement potentially contributing to continued engagement.
Further sports betting studies reveal young adults who exhibit symptoms of problem gambling also score high on indices of mental health symptomology. However, this emerging area of public health interest has been largely unexplored due to a lack of research and funding, putting the greater population at risk. Fortunately, the International Center for Responsible Gaming is closing this gap. As a leading funder of independent, peer-reviewed research on gambling and its impacts, ICRG is shaping policy and driving progress for the gaming industry and those affected. To learn more about the unbiased, peer-reviewed research we fund, visit icrg.org.
UNDERSTANDING RISK FACTORS ACROSS SPORTS BETTING AND CASINO GAMBLING
From poker chips to betting apps, the public image of gambling is rapidly changing. In recent years, online sports betting has skyrocketed in popularity, allowing adults both young and old to bet on everything from professional football games to table tennis tournaments right from the palm of their hand. The growing prevalence of sports betting has many speculating that online gambling may be associated with distinct risk factors that are still being actively studied.
Recent casino gambling comparison research funded by the International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) suggests that sports betting in its modern, mobile form can present unique risk factors that lead to higher rates of problematic behavior compared to traditional, in-person casino gambling.
What Makes Sports Betting Unique
Since becoming legalized in 2018, the sports betting industry has seen exponential growth, with total wagers going from $4.9 billion in 2017 to $121.1 billion in 2023. This has also coincided with increased reports of problem gambling. The percentage of internet searches for help with problem gambling has risen at nearly the same rate during the same time period, with searches surging 61% since its legalization.
Some sports betting studies suggest that the prevalence of gambling-related problems may be higher among individuals who bet on sports in mobile environments. For example, while about 1-2% of the general population may meet the criteria for a gambling disorder, that number can climb to 16% for those who primarily engage in online sports betting.
Sports Betting Vs. Casino Gambling Comparison
The primary driver behind the rising concern over sports betting is not just the act of wagering, but the psychology of skill. When evaluating the behaviors of traditional casino gamblers versus online sports bettors, it’s important to compare the differences and similarities between the two. Factors that may influence addictiveness include:
Emerging Risks Considerations For Sports Betting
Research funded by the ICRG has also identified a strong correlation between frequent sports betting and other addictive behaviors. A 2025 study highlighted that sports bettors are more likely to experience co-occurring issues, particularly hazardous alcohol use and high levels of stress or anxiety. Because sports betting is often viewed as a social, competitive hobby, the transition from fan to problem gambler can be harder to spot than in a traditional casino setting.
The Importance Of Funding Sports Betting Research
The rise of sports betting is creating a growing and evolving population of sports bettors whose behaviors and risk profiles are not yet fully understood. However, this populace has largely been unexplored due to a lack of research and funding. To bridge the gap in understanding sports betting, the International Center for Responsible Gaming supports research to better understand these patterns and inform evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
To learn more about our research, visit icrg.org.
NEXT.IO AND TRENDS FROM ICRG PRESIDENT MICHAEL SOLL
I recently had the opportunity to engage with industry leaders, regulators, and innovators at the NEXT.io Summit in New York. The conversations were both energizing and sobering, reinforcing the pace of our industry’s evolution and the urgency with which responsible gaming must keep pace. Several themes stood out.
Emerging Gaming Trends From NEXT.Io
First, the emergence of prediction markets signals a fundamental shift in how consumers engage with risk. These products sit at the intersection of financial trading and gambling, and while their ultimate regulatory classification remains uncertain, their behavioral dynamics are not. They introduce new forms of speculative engagement that demand closer study, particularly as they appeal to younger and more digitally native audiences.
Second, the continued fragmentation of the U.S. regulatory landscape is creating uneven consumer protections. As new verticals such as sweepstakes platforms, social casinos, and skill-based gaming expand, many operate outside traditional regulatory frameworks. This reality challenges us to think beyond jurisdictional boundaries and toward more consistent, evidence-based standards of player protection.
Third, technology is rapidly redefining both opportunity and risk. Artificial intelligence and advanced data systems are enabling highly personalized user experiences, but they also offer powerful tools for early identification of problematic play. The question before us is not whether these tools will be used, but how intentionally and effectively they will be deployed in the service of player well-being.
Finally, one overarching trend is clear: the industry is converging toward more immersive, continuous, and speculative forms of entertainment.
The Increased Need For Gambling Research Funding
For those of us in the responsible gaming community, these developments are a call to action. We must accelerate research into emerging products and player behaviors. We must strengthen collaboration across sectors, including regulators, operators, and technology providers. We must ensure that innovation in gaming is matched, if not exceeded, by innovation in player protection.
The future of this industry will not be defined solely by growth, but by how responsibly that growth is managed.
SPOTLIGHT ON ICRG-FUNDED RESEARCH: RETHINKING GAMBLING HARM THROUGH A NEW LENS: “GAMBLING SATISFACTION”
ICRG is proud to highlight new research led by Sally Gainsbury and her team at the University of Sydney, exploring an innovative approach to understanding gambling behavior and harm. Supported through an ICRG Center of Excellence grant (awarded in 2023), this multi-year research program focuses on improving engagement with responsible gambling tools and developing more effective, data-driven interventions.
A recent publication from this work introduces a novel concept: “gambling satisfaction” as a potential indicator of gambling-related harm.
What Is Gambling Satisfaction?
Traditionally, gambling research has focused almost exclusively on harms and deficits. This study takes a different approach by examining how individuals evaluate their own gambling experiences, and what those evaluations reveal about risk.
Using large-scale survey data from both online and land-based gamblers, the research found that:
Importantly, the findings suggest that gambling satisfaction reflects more than just wins or losses. It is shaped by factors such as:
Identifying Gambling-Related Harm
This work represents a shift toward non-stigmatizing, person-centered approaches to identifying and addressing gambling-related harm. By focusing on how individuals experience gambling, rather than only on symptoms, this approach may support more effective screening, earlier intervention, and more meaningful engagement with responsible gambling tools.
As part of the broader Center of Excellence program, this research is complemented by ongoing studies using real-world behavioral data, co-designed interventions, and targeted messaging strategies to improve uptake of protective tools among at-risk populations. Together, these efforts reflect ICRG’s commitment to advancing innovative, actionable research that bridges science, policy, and practice. Review more information on all ICRG-funded grants.