OHIO, USA — More than $6 billion was wagered during Ohio's first year of legalized sports betting.
Meanwhile, the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio has seen an increase in the volume of calls they've received.
"We started the calendar year off in the thousands," Michael Buzzelli, associate director of the Problem Gambling Network of Ohio, said. "Which was triple the amount from last year."
To recap, bettors wagered more than $1 billion alone in the first month of legalized sports betting. Buzzelli told 3News they're still seeing double the volume from 2022.
"The number of family members calling for a loved one has increased," he noted.
There were 16 online or mobile operators for sports betting last January. The Ohio Casino Control Commission tells us four were added over the course of the year.
Buzzelli says the ease and availability has brought in more, and often younger, bettors.
"We used to see, 'My problem has been five years or more,'" he explained. "We're seeing higher volumes of people saying, 'My problem with betting is less than a year.'"
Part of the reason so many folks have gotten involved in sports betting, Buzzelli says, is because of the numerous advertisements on social media and television.
"It's promoted so heavily as a normal and fun behavior, but we know the consequences can be really, really strong," he cautioned.
However, he believes there is a silver lining to all of the advertisements.
"Every time you're hearing an ad about sports betting, you're also hearing the helpline number," he said.
According to Buzzelli, folks are calling sooner and receiving resources sooner because of seeing the help line within the ads. The Problem Gambling Network of Ohio also continues to grow, and plans on opening an office in Beachwood this year.
Buzzelli hopes to work with universities across the state to provide education on sports betting, since they're receiving more calls from younger bettors.