Sports Betting & Online Gambling: The Odds are Against Us

The increase in sports betting and online gambling brings increased risks of addiction, with higher risks for young adults.

Casinos and gambling are not an old concept. Many of us have been to a casino at least once in our lives, whether it be for a concert, restaurant, shopping, or to try our luck at the slots or a game table.

In recent years, a new form of gambling has entered the arena - sports betting and online casinos. Sports betting, or placing wagers on the outcome of a sports event, has gained popularity since the Supreme Court removed the ban of sports betting in 2018. Since then, more than 30 states have followed suit, and sports betting is now more accessible than ever.

Many firms that offer sports betting also give users the opportunity to enter a virtual, online casino, where games like roulette, slots, and black jack can be played right on your cell phone. Gambling can now be done anywhere, anytime.

And just like all new technology, the popularity of online sports betting and casinos has skyrocketed; “Casinos and mobile gaming apps rang up a record $54.93 billion in revenue during the first 11 months of 2022, a 13.5 percent increase against the same period the previous year, says the American Gaming Association.”

With more accessibility and higher usage comes an increased risk for users to develop gambling disorders. Technology has also made it extremely easy for a new demographic to join the game– high school and college students.

Gambling Information & Resources

Local Treatment Resources

Click logos to visit websites. Find additional information in our resource guides.

5-Minute Survey: Share Your Thoughts

This survey is for adults ages 18 and older who live in Connecticut. Please take 5 minutes to share your thoughts and experiences with gambling, gaming, substance use, and mental health. Take survey now.

Visit thehubct.org/gambling for more information.

Events

Check out all of The Hub's upcoming events HERE

Community Events

Implementation of Timely and Effective

Transitional Care Management Processes

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

3:00-4:00pm Eastern / 12:00-1:00pm Pacific

Disclaimer: The Hub shares information and resources on a variety of behavioral health topics. We do not endorse specific events, policies or agencies.

Looking for a Training or Presentation from The Hub?

You can now request one on our website! Visit thehubct.org/training.

Resources

Building and Supporting Executive Functioning Skills

Thursday March 23rd, 2023 5:00PM-6:00PM EST | 2:00PM-3:00PM PST

Please note: Intended audience is families with students in grades K - 12.

Supporting Your Anxious Child

Tuesday March 28th, 2023 4:00PM-5:00PM EST | 1:00PM-2:00PM PST

Please note: Intended audience is families with students in grades K - 12.

ACF and SAMHSA Training for Parents, Caregivers,

and Families on the

Mental Health of Children

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

6:00 PM ET

The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and SAMHSA are offering a virtual training for parents, caregivers, and families on the mental health needs of children! ACF and SAMHSA are both committed to improving behavioral health (mental health and substance use) for children, youth, and families.

We understand that parents and caregivers play a vital role in the lives of children, families, and communities. This training will provide parents and caregivers with tools and skills to support their children. Register Today.

Military-Affiliated Population Peer Support Webinar

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

1:00 PM ET

Service members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF) are often overwhelmed by the complexities of navigating the service systems designed to support them. While many resources are in place to support the health and well-being of SMVF, finding and accessing those resources can be challenging. This webinar will provide attendees with information regarding SAMHSA’s available resources to support implementing and strengthening peer support within the behavioral health system of care.

Opportunities

Call for Proposals: Anti-Racist Solutions Symposium

2023 Annual Creating Anti-Racist Solutions: Navigating the Journey Together

Wednesday, August 9, 2023 | 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart University West Campus/Virtual Option Available

Sacred Heart University's School of Social Work and the Ph.D. in Social Work program are hosting a day-long event designed to inspire change within institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and agencies and our communities.

The School of Social Work is now accepting proposals for the 2023 symposium. Proposals must be submitted by April 30, 2023.

All presentations will be livestreamed. Depending on the number of proposals submitted, remote/online presentations may be included in the day.

2023 Karuna Conference

Karuna means compassion in action. Karuna changes the way we perceive and respond. Karuna creates space. Within the space, suffering becomes an opportunity to cultivate resilience and purpose. For people living with a psychiatric diagnosis, Karuna becomes hope. The Karuna Conference is designed for people seeking to learn new approaches for exploring the human experience.

This is a free 2-day conference hosted by Advocacy Unlimited, Inc.

Visit thehubct.org/advocacy for more information.

In the News

CT legislators push for more mental health support for kids

State lawmakers are confident that Senate Bill 2, which has passed out of the Committee on Children, will continue to build upon previous legislation that ensures the general well-being of Connecticut youth. The bill contains several measures that cover protections for public libraries and expand requirements that certain information about kids' education and child care be provided in Spanish.

Social Relationships Affect How Your Body Responds to Stress

Positive social relationships can positively impact our mental and physical health, possible due to a phenomenon called social buffering. Parents, friends, and romantic partners may lower our body's responses to stress, though their effectiveness differs by developmental stage. Adolescents may have more difficulty getting biological benefits from social relationships than adults and children.