The Super Bowl is truly the "Super Bowl" of sports betting. The American Gaming Association estimates more than 31 million Americans will place a bet on Sunday's game. That's a 35% increase from 2021, sparked by states like Connecticut which now have legal sports gambling.
Throngs of casual and first-time gamblers are expected to take part, some spurred on by incessant advertising from casinos and other gambling operations.
As always, the risk of a wager brings the risk of getting hooked on the action. An expert on problem gambling warns that while some people can handle an occasional bet, others find life-altering trouble-- quickly.
"That's really what we're seeing with both legalization of sports betting and online gambling: It's how fast people are getting into trouble," says Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) executive director Diana Goode. "I talked to someone the other day who lost $40,000 in one day, and he just kept thinking he was going to win it back. That's not the way it works."
CCPG assists problem gamblers and those who think their betting habit is turning into a problem. The website ccpg.org includes a 24/7 chat page, and the helpline can be reached at (888) 789-7777.
A sister site, ResponsiblePlayCT.org, offers tips on how to keep your gambling under control.
Goode spoke to WTIC's Dave Mager about problem gambling, a steep increase in helpline calls since sports gambling went legal in CT and what gamblers can expect from CCPG when they reach out:
