Sports betting addiction leading to increase in bankruptcies in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – A recent study from USC and UCLA researchers suggests a nearly 30% increase in bankruptcies in states where sports betting is legal. One sports betting addiction counselor says the impulse to bet on sports is devastating families across the state.

Sept. 1 marks two years of legalized sports betting in Kansas.

JoAnn Briles-Klein has treated those with gambling addictions here in Wichita for more than two decades. She said the legalization of sports betting, even your phone, has led to serious problems.

The itch to win big can be a losing wager.

“I’ve seen it destroy marriages, I’ve seen it destroy families, I’ve seen it destroy lives,” said Briles-Klein.

Briles-Klein has treated gambling addicts for 22 years. She also sits on the problem gambling task force. She shares that sports betting has reached the addiction phase and is only on the rise in Kansas. She thinks easy access from any phone on top of normalized marketing has allowed it to become out of control.

“Now you’re watching TV, and the sports game is on, and the commentators are saying something about the odds, and at the bottom of the screen, it tells you how you can place a bet,” said Briles-Klein.

She shared many clients, chased bets, losing more and more money, and eventually losing their homes or possessions. Briles-Klein believes this can be one of the hardest addictions to kick.

“Functional scan of the brain, that area of the brain for somebody that is in action with gambling, that area of the brain looks very similar to someone high on cocaine,” said Briles-Klein.

Daydree Dopps has practiced bankruptcy law in Wichita for years. She said they have seen a significant spike in bankruptcies caused by gambling.

“When we have clients that come to the office, it’s not something that happened last week or last month, sometimes not even last year, sometimes it’s a culmination. Your mindset’s probably that it’ll be better next week, or I’ll use my next pay stub,” said Dopps.

Briles-Klein believes we are just starting to scratch the surface, speaking up about sports betting addiction. She said casinos in Kansas are obligated to put a portion of profits into a fund for education, prevention, and treatment.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Contact the problem gambling helpline at 800-522-4700 .

Briles-Klein said that treatment is zero cost for those who need help.

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