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Sports betting has the potential to increase the risk of intimate partner violence, and the effect appears to be amplified in states where mobile betting is legal, according to a 2025 study conducted by researchers at the University of Oregon.
Due to the emotional fluctuation associated with gambling, unexpected losses can result in participants experiencing amplified negative emotional cues, which some may direct toward others.
Several other studies have found that individuals who experience problems with gambling are more likely to be involved in domestic violence. While intimate partners are most often affected by this violence, it can also extend to family members.
The researchers said they are the first to study the possibility of a causal relationship between sports betting and domestic violence, and more research is needed to fully assess the prevalence of the issue.
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Sources
Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies at San Diego State University: Sports Betting Legalization Amplifies Emotional Cues & Intimate Partner Violence
National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine: An integrative review of research on gambling and domestic and family violence: Fresh perspectives to guide future research
Local 4 News, Detroit, Michigan: University of Michigan researchers find sports betting linked to rise in crime