New Jersey's high-risk gambling rate drops but state still faces challenges

According to a new study done by Rutgers University researchers under contract with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, high-risk problem gambling has significantly decreased in the state even while sports betting is still growing.

The report's main conclusions show that high-risk problem gambling rates have dropped from 6.3% to 5.6%. But the report points out that New Jersey's rate of problem gambling is still three times greater than the national average, continuing to be a source of concern for state authorities.

 

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It makes sense that making sports betting widely available might seem risky at first in terms of problem gambling issues. But if they keep tracking rates and regulating things carefully like they are, it could level off or improve further before long. As long as help is out there for the minority who do have problems, legal sports betting doesn't have to mean more social problems overall.