A recent study commissioned by the state of Connecticut has found that the majority of gambling revenue in the state comes from problem gamblers, raising concerns about the social and economic impacts of the industry.

What the study found

The study, conducted by researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, surveyed more than 3,000 Connecticut residents who gambled at least once in the past year. The researchers used a widely accepted screening tool to classify the gamblers into four categories: recreational, at-risk, problem, and pathological.

The study found that recreational gamblers, who accounted for 81% of the sample, contributed only 27% of the gambling revenue in the state. On the other hand, problem and pathological gamblers, who made up only 9% of the sample, generated a whopping 53% of the revenue. The remaining 20% of the revenue came from at-risk gamblers, who represented 10% of the sample.

The study also revealed that problem and pathological gamblers spent more money and time on gambling than other groups, and experienced more negative consequences such as financial difficulties, mental health issues, substance abuse, and family problems.

Why it matters

The study’s findings have significant implications for the state of Connecticut, which relies heavily on gambling revenue to fund various public services and programs. According to the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, the state received more than $600 million in gambling revenue in 2020, mostly from the two tribal casinos, Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun, and the state lottery.

However, the study suggests that this revenue comes at a high social and economic cost, as problem and pathological gamblers are more likely to suffer from personal and societal harms. The study estimated that the annual cost of problem gambling in Connecticut ranges from $670 million to $1.2 billion, depending on the methodology used. These costs include health care, criminal justice, social services, lost productivity, and bankruptcy.

The study also raises ethical questions about the state’s role and responsibility in regulating and promoting gambling, especially as it plans to expand the industry with online sports betting and casino gaming. The study recommended that the state should increase its efforts to prevent and treat problem gambling, and allocate more resources to research and evaluation.

How the state and the industry responded

The study was commissioned by the state in 2019, as part of a legislative mandate to assess the impact of gambling expansion in Connecticut. The study was funded by the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the results were presented to the state legislature on March 4, 2024.

The state officials and lawmakers who attended the presentation expressed their concern and interest in the study’s findings, and said they would consider them in their policy decisions. Some of them suggested that the state should impose higher taxes on gambling revenue, and dedicate more funds to problem gambling prevention and treatment.

The gambling industry representatives, however, questioned the validity and reliability of the study, and argued that it was based on outdated and biased data. They said that the study did not reflect the current situation and trends in the gambling market, and that it ignored the positive impacts of gambling on the state’s economy and tourism. They also claimed that the industry was already doing its best to promote responsible gambling and support problem gamblers.

What the experts and advocates said

The study’s authors defended their methodology and data, and said that they followed the best practices and standards in the field of gambling research. They said that their study was the most comprehensive and representative of its kind in Connecticut, and that it provided valuable insights and recommendations for the state and the stakeholders.

The experts and advocates from the academic and non-profit sectors also praised the study, and said that it confirmed what they had long suspected and observed. They said that the study showed the true extent and nature of Connecticut’s gambling problem, and that it highlighted the need for more action and awareness. They urged the state and the industry to take the study seriously, and to work together to address the issue of problem gambling.