(NewsNation) — The NFL season has formally kicked off and which means quite a lot of followers are making bets. As an increasing number of states are legalizing sports activities betting, some are elevating considerations about whether or not this might worsen playing dependancy in America.

“We’re going to be bombarded” with sports activities playing points, mentioned Andrew Brandt, professor of apply and government director of the Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova Law School.

Sports betting is authorized in not less than 30 states with a report $7.5 billion in income in 2022, based on the American Gaming Association.

The National Council on Problem Gambling estimates that any given yr, two million Americans meet the standards for extreme playing issues.

Some concern that the determine could go up due to how accessible it now’s.

NewsNation spoke to a licensed counselor who mentioned there must be extra training and extra therapy choices as a result of he believes it will likely be an epidemic.

“Gambling addiction has morphed into something that was unheard of two or three years ago and I get so many calls now for sports gambling,” mentioned James Martinez, medical director of Lifetime Recovery.

Martinez mentioned he’s seeing youthful and youthful sufferers and says colleges have to step up playing consciousness education schemes.

“I once worked a case with a 19-year-old,” Martinez mentioned. “Who would get their parents to sign them up for the apps and would lose lots of money.”

Brandt runs a podcast that’s sponsored by Draft Kings and likewise served as a marketing consultant to assist draft a state invoice that included a provision for funding for playing dependancy therapy.

“That is certainly a part of how all these bills are passed because there has to be language in there to address it,” Brandt mentioned. “What I can’t tell you is how it’s working.”

Online and cellular betting websites do have accountable playing warnings and insurance policies.

The NFL partnered with the National Council on Problem Gambling again in 2021 to launch a $6.2 million accountable playing consciousness and training marketing campaign over a three-year interval.

If you or somebody wants assist, name 800-GAM-BLER.