Editorial: Problem gambling crisis

Based on research by Ohio for Responsible Gambling, Lucas County has a crisis brewing. As reported in The Blade business section Sunday, nearly 60 percent of the Black bettors here fit the definition for problem gambler. White and Hispanic gamblers fit the at risk category just under 20 percent of the time, according to the state study. ( “Sports betting critics suggest industry targets Black people; More African-Americans gamblers called ‘at risk’” Sunday )

Reporter James Trumm examined sports betting marketing tactics looking for evidence of African-American gamblers being targeted. No consensus opinion emerged from experts on sports gambling marketing or the treatment professionals dealing with the ramifications.

But the knowledge that Lucas County’s problem gambling population is nearly 20,000 brings understanding of individual crisis situations. Ohio’s definition of problem gambling shows betting can take over entire lives.

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Problem gamblers exhibit most or all of these characteristics, according to the Ohio Department of Mental Health:

● Relive past gambling experiences, plan the next venture, or think of ways to get money to gamble?

● Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to feel the excitement?

● Become restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling?

● Gamble as a way of escaping from problems or relieving guilt, anxiety, or depression?

● Often return another day in order to get even or chase losses after gambling?

● Lie to family members, friends, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling?

● Participate in illegal activities (e.g. forgery, fraud, or theft) in order to finance gambling?

● Jeopardize or lose a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling?

● Rely on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling?

● Attempt to control, cut back, or stop gambling but are unable to do so?

This is the daily desperation for thousands of Ohio sports bettors.

Poverty is a starting point for many of the gambling problems. The fantasy of a big cash infusion from picking right in some games, reinforced by heavy advertising, turns into an immediate crisis when money needed for rent, car payments, or even food is lost.

The Zepf Center provides the largest problem gambling support program in Ohio. While it’s good news that help exists in Toledo it’s beyond concerning that so many gamblers need it. More than a third of the local gamblers 18-24 fit the problem gambler designation.

Clearly, way too many Lucas Countians are betting money they can’t afford to lose. It was predictable from the inception of sports gambling in Ohio that many citizens would end up wasting money they desperately need.

Ohio collected $134 million in new tax revenue from sports betting in 2023.

But the state estimates 254,000 Ohioans now have a serious gambling problem. Legalized sports gambling has surely cost Ohio more than it benefits Ohio.