Problem Gambling Awareness Month
By Jess Jolly, LCSW-C
SMCM Director of Counseling 
March, 2026

March is Problem Gambling Awareness Month (Yes that includes sports betting!)

For the past two years, the Peer Health Educator Program at St. Mary’s College of Maryland has been honored to be the recipient of the Maryland Colleges and Universities Underage and Problem Gambling Prevention Grant from the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling with additional funding from the Maryland Department of Health, Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). Peer Health Educators (PHE) are a team of students who are trained to provide peer counseling, resources, and activities related to prevention topics including problem gambling in the young adult population.

It has been shown that young adults may turn to peer support first in seeking help rather than professionals. The PHEs have launched their annual Problem Gambling Awareness Month campaign observed during the month of March. Past events have included hosting a problem gambling screening day, prevention outreach events in collaboration with on campus partners such as athletics, and awareness campaigns.

According to the Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling, young adults aged 18-24 are at greater risk of problem gambling in comparison to other age groups. According to the 2022 Statewide Gambling Prevalence in Maryland, 2.3% of 18–24-year-olds, 4.2% of 25–34-year-olds and 4% of Marylanders overall have a gambling disorder.  Of those of any age who gambled on sports online, 20% had a gambling disorder. Laws for sports betting vary by state. In Maryland an individual must be 21 years of age or older to place sports bets on mobile devices and in retail locations.

Often, when hearing the word “gambling” it is easy to think about more “traditional” forms of gambling such as slot machines or table games. Gambling is any activity that risks something of value for an event whose outcome is uncertain. Often, students do not consider sports betting to be a form of gambling. Other examples of gambling include online games which have “loot boxes” or “paid random items” for which a monetary “bet” is placed for a randomly generated item in the game.

Sports betting works by placing a bet which is then left up to random chance. This form of betting is widely accessible as it is done through digital apps. Due to the digital format, the results of betting have a reduced turnaround time. This can increase the consistency of betting within the app. The type of betting within sports betting is expensive and can include bets placed on aspects of a sports team, players performance, and player status. It is often thought that having greater knowledge of a sports team will lead to increased wins, however this is not true as sports betting is a game of chance with unpredictable outcomes. Increased betting leads to more potential losses.

According to University of Maryland School of Medicine, sports betting can have an impact on mood and emotions because of a win or loss. Those who gamble are more likely to experience mental health risks such as anxiety and depression. Gambling can become a problem when two key factors are present: impaired control and negative impacts. Impaired control includes not being able to stick to limits including money spent or time invested in gambling. Negative impacts are those incurred because of gambling behavior. This includes emotional, financial, relationship, or legal problems. Risk factors such as substance use, mental health concerns, and financial distress may increase the likelihood that someone may develop a gambling problem. Gambling behavior can be addictive as it activates the brain’s reward system releasing dopamine like substances.

Preventive strategies such as responsible gambling can help reduce the risk of problem gambling. Examples include setting limits, gambling for entertainment purposes only, setting a budget before gambling and sticking to it, never chasing losses, limiting time gambling, avoiding emotional betting especially when angry or stressed, avoiding using substances while gambling and balancing gambling with other recreational activities.  It also may be important to take “breaks” from gambling including sports betting apps. This is especially important when the betting is no longer seen as fun or entertaining.

In an age where gambling can take place on a mobile and kept discreet, problem gambling can go unnoticed for some time.  However, there are some warning signs that may indicate that a gambling problem may be occurring. These warning signs include: thinking about betting or gambling more than usual, spending more money than intended, placing more bets than intended, lying to cover up losses, financial concerns, experiencing poor job performance or losing a job due to gambling, and spending more time engaged with gambling than with friends, family or loved ones which can result in isolation.

Digital tools exist to help block gambling platforms on mobile devices including the apps “Gamban” and “Bet blocker” which blocks thousands of gambling websites and apps.  The 1-800-GAMBLER helpline is available 24/7 to connect those seeking support to trained counselors who can help. The helpline also has texting capabilities. The Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling provides resources on their website including a self-evaluation assessment, resources for treatment and support, and additional information on problem gambling.

For family members and caregivers, it can be especially challenging when a loved one is experiencing concerns related to gambling. Family members may feel a sense of worry, feelings of shame, and unsure of who to reach out to for support.  Help is available for family members through the non-profit organization – Maryland Coalition of Families, where confidential support is available from trained staff. In addition, MCF provides resources to find treatment providers that specialize in problem gambling. MCF can be contacted at help@mdcoalition.org or at 410-730-8267.