Dr. Bob Breen, a psychiatrist from Rhode Island Hospital, wrote a letter in March 2011 to Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee explaining that 50% of the state’s gambling revenue comes from addicts and warning that allowing table games would create 1,000 to 2,250 new addicts.
American Medical Association: Growing Health Concern Regarding Gambling Addiction in the Age of Sportsbooks
March 3, 2025
The number of states with operational sportsbooks increased from 1 during 2017 to 38 during 2024. Total sports wagers increased