Connecticut Problem Gambling Evolving with Technology

Connecticut’s reputation runs toward Ivy League campuses, quiet coastal towns, and fall foliage — not the kind of place you’d associate with a rising public health concern. But like every state, it isn’t immune to the risks that come with digital technology, including online gambling.

While gambling in Connecticut has been legal on Tribal land since 1986, it has expanded from its beginnings in high-stakes bingo to include classic table and card games, and slot machines in 1993. In 1996, Connecticut opened its first full-service casino. To date, there are two main Tribal casinos in Connecticut, Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard and Mohegan Sun in Uncasville.

Historically, Connecticut’s problem gambling rate has hovered around 1.8%, which was lower than the national average, with the state managing to keep rates relatively low and generally stable through early intervention and consistent resource funding. This started to change when, in 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court removed the federal ban on sports betting, allowing individual states to decide on legalization and subsequent regulation of the activity. Online sports betting and daily fantasy sports (DFS) were legalized in the state in 2021, with DraftKings, FanDuel, and Fanatics Sportsbook becoming the state’s most used platforms. Soon after, public health officials and other stakeholders started to notice an uptick in demand for local problem gambling support services.

The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) reported that following the legalization and launch of online sports betting in CT, calls to the state’s problem gambling helpline skyrocketed by roughly 200% to 400% during the first year of operation. Growth rates may have leveled off as sports betting has become mainstream. But the continued digital evolution of gambling-related products adds a new layer of complexity — one that may overwhelm existing treatment infrastructure.

Below is a summary of what Connecticut residents and their loved ones need to know regarding the growth of online gambling behavior in the Constitution State.

Recent Data on Problem Gambling Behavior in Connecticut

Recent data suggests Connecticut’s lower-than-average problem gambling rate won’t hold. Just last year, UConn researchers uncovered high rates of gambling behavior among CT’s college students.

72% of Connecticut’s undergraduates reported gambling in the past year.

8.3% of respondents’ survey answers met the criteria for “serious problem gambling,” while a total of 17.2% reported problem gambling at a moderate level, with some negative consequences.

Will this group of vulnerable young adults mature out of their current gambling habits once they join the workforce? Or will they have trouble resisting the next wave of digital products designed to keep them engaged with greater frequency and duration?

How Digital Design Is Making Gambling Riskier for CT Residents

Video gaming, social media, and online shopping increasingly borrow the same design principles as casino slot machines — variable rewards, constant visual cues, and no natural “stopping point” — to keep users engaged indefinitely. If the analogy holds, imagine how hard it is to take a break or quit a gambling app. Now factor in other design elements, including an infinite scroll of games to bet on, push notifications, personalized algorithms, and social integrations that promote fear of missing out (FOMO) among users who connect their gambling experiences to virtual peer groups.

Prediction Markets: A New Gambling Risk in Connecticut

Online casino gaming and sports betting platforms are enough to contend with as is. But prediction markets have arrived to recruit a new generation of Connecticut consumers.

Online prediction markets are exchange-traded platforms that allow the buying and selling of contracts on the outcomes of various events. Legal-age Connecticut residents are able to trade on everything from political elections and cryptocurrency valuations to the number of natural disasters expected to hit the Atlantic coastline in a given season. And yes, as of last year, residents can make online trades on sporting events. These trades cover win/loss outcomes, props, win totals, and futures — using the same Moneyline and Spread language found across online sports betting apps and websites. That shouldn’t be an issue in Connecticut, especially compared to states like Utah and Hawaii, where sports betting in any form remains illegal — right? After all, Connecticut residents are already able to make online wagers on sports with regulated sportsbooks.

Critics suggest that the issue lies with the regulatory nature of prediction market sports trading. These platforms are federally regulated by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and are therefore not currently considered a gambling product, despite everything referenced above about how “trades” are made on sports. Critics indicate that without state oversight, Responsible Gambling guardrails will not be in place to protect vulnerable persons.

At present, Connecticut has taken an aggressive stance against prediction market platforms, categorizing them as unlicensed sports betting operations and seeking to regulate them. The state’s key actions and ongoing efforts include Governor Ned Lamont’s introduction of legislation (House Bill 5038) to restrict access to these platforms. The subsequent legislative package orders a formal statewide study into prediction markets and includes strict age limits, forcing operators to verify users’ locations and identities, and banning the targeting of vulnerable college students. Connecticut’s federal lawmakers are also leading the charge at the national level. Senator Richard Blumenthal and Senator Chris Murphy have introduced bills, including the Prediction Markets Security and Integrity Act and the BETS OFF Act, which aim to ban or establish strict guardrails for betting on war, terrorism, government actions, and sensitive military operations.

As stated, things are getting very complex in Connecticut’s online gambling landscape.

Who is Vulnerable to Problem Gambling?

Young adult men are especially at risk, partly because the brain’s decision-making and impulse-control functions aren’t fully developed until the mid-20s. There are others, however, who are a part of Connecticut’s approximately 3.7 million residents. As with many behavioral addictions relating to technology, problem gambling may be a coping mechanism, co-occur with, and exacerbate various mental and behavioral health issues. If you live with one or more of the issues below, a professional assessment for problem gambling is recommended:

Adverse Childhood Experiences	Anxiety Disorder
ADHD	Bipolar Disorder
Chronic Stress	Depression
OCD	PTSD
Substance Use Disorder	Suicidal Ideation and Self-Harm
Problem Video Gaming	Hypersexuality

Signs of Problem Online Gambling You May Recognize

It is recommended for any Connecticut resident who exhibits any of the below to seek an assessment from a professional who specializes in identifying and treating problem gambling:

You are in debt from online casino gaming, sports betting, or other form of gambling.
You borrow money to cover losses from online casino gaming, sports betting, or other form of gambling.
You resort to theft to cover losses from online casino gaming, sports betting, or other form of gambling.
You chase gambling losses with more gambling in an effort to win back what was lost, and then some.
You lie to friends and loved ones about engaging with online gambling platforms.
You constantly think and talk about casino gaming, sports betting, or other forms of gambling.
You gamble in greater amounts or frequency to maintain the same “rush” once attained with smaller or fewer bets.
You have lost interest in healthy activities and hobbies you once enjoyed due to hyper-focus on online gambling.
You often gamble online to escape boredom.
You often gamble online to cope with negative emotions.
You get irritable and anxious when not able to get online and gamble.
You have attempted to take an extended break from, or quit casino gaming, sports betting, or other form of gambling without success.

Getting Help for Problem Gambling Through Online Counseling

There are great in-person resources within Connecticut for residents to take advantage of. That said, in-clinic counseling isn’t for everyone. Many prefer the relative confidentiality, anonymity, and scheduling flexibility of online counseling. It is equally powerful and generally more accessible than the alternative, allowing individuals, couples, and families to leverage technology (virtual conferencing) to overcome the harms associated with tech-based addictive behaviors.

Not sure where to start? Our Resource Specialists can help you find problem gambling support in Connecticut — whether you’re looking for yourself or someone you care about.

Contact a Resource Specialist

Image of Denise Vestuti, LCSW, rtor.org Clinical Director

Frequently Asked Questions About Problem Gambling

What is problem gambling?

Problem gambling is a pattern of gambling behavior that causes harm — financially, emotionally, or in relationships — even when the person wants to stop or cut back. It exists on a spectrum, from mild to severe, and doesn’t always look like what people picture as “addiction.”

What are the signs of problem gambling?

Common signs include gambling more than intended, chasing losses with more bets, borrowing money to cover gambling debts, lying about gambling activity, and feeling irritable or anxious when unable to gamble. (See the full list above for a more detailed breakdown.)

Is problem gambling a mental health condition?

Yes. Problem gambling is a recognized behavioral health condition and often co-occurs with anxiety, depression, substance use, and other mental health issues. It’s treatable, and professional support can make a meaningful difference.

Where can I get help for problem gambling in Connecticut?

The Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling (CCPG) operates a helpline for residents seeking support, and online counseling options are also available to CT residents through most insurance plans.

Can online therapy help with problem gambling?

Yes. Online counseling offers the same clinical support as in-person treatment, with added privacy and scheduling flexibility — which can make it easier for people to take the first step toward getting help.

About the Author: For more than two decades, Marcus Maraih has served as a writer in the wellness space, helping readers build healthier relationships with new technologies and web-enabled activities. Working in close consultation with mental health professionals, his evidence-informed work explores behavioral issues related to online gambling, trading, social media, shopping, and the impact of screen time on public well-being. Through practical, research-based insights, he offers advice readers can apply to find greater balance in everyday life. Through his writing, he aims to make mental wellness concepts accessible, actionable, and relevant in an increasingly connected world.

Kindbridge Behavioral Health is a virtual problem gambling treatment provider offering FREE online assessments for problem gambling and prediction market trading in addition to the above-detailed mental health issues that may intersect. In addition to a free, zero-commitment assessment, online counseling is available through most insurance policies for Connecticut residents. Call 1-877-426-4258 to ask for help.

Photo by Helena Lopes: https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-holding-his-forehead-27086815/

The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of www.rtor.org or its sponsor, Laurel House, Inc. The author and www.rtor.org have no affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their author bios.