ORLANDO, Fla. — This year’s Super Bowl was expected to be the biggest event in sports betting yet.

Sports betting is legal in 38 states, plus Washington D.C., including the Sunshine State, and while sports betting continues to rise, so has gambling addiction.

Millions of people around the globe watched the Philadelphia Eagles face off against the two-time defending NFL champs the Kansas City Chiefs on Super Bowl Sunday.

And according to the American Gaming Association, half of the U.S. adult population betted on it. A record $1.39 billion was expected to be legally wagered on the big game, which is a 1.2% increase from last year.

“Depending on if there’s a big event going on, we would often see an uptick in the number of people who are calling and people realize, ‘I got a problem’ and so we would kind of look for that,” explained Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling’s Board President David Griffin. “For example, the Super Bowl is coming up and we’re expecting the phones to start ringing off the hook.”

Griffin says that the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling has been serving the Sunshine State for almost 30 years and provides resources and opportunities for those looking to beat their addiction and help those at some of their lowest points. 

“We’ve had people call and say, ‘Listen, I’m sitting in the parking lot, I have a gun in my lap and if I don’t hear something then I’m going to end it all today,’” Griffin shared. “We’ve had wives who have called and found out their husband has spent their kid’s college fund and wants some help from the husband and vice versa.”

According to the FCCG, there has been a 395% increase in calls to help lines since the U.S. legalized sports betting in 2018. Florida saw an 130% increase since the state legalized sports gambling in 2023.

“We have counselors that we work with so if you want in person help, we can get you connected with a counselor,” Griffin said. “We have materials we can send out and actual course work you can send out.”

Griffin says the unique trend they’ve seen with sports betting is the major change in the demographic.

“Generally, the numbers, in terms of the ages of 25 and below is close to 50% now,” explained Griffin. “If you look at other forms of gambling and take that out, it’s about 11% are 25 and below so the age is getting a lot younger.”

The FCCG stated it is not anti-gambling but want to assist those addicted to it. And with the big game bringing in old and new suitors, Griffin wants people to know they’re here to help.

“If you’re a loved one, family member, child, parent, we also have help for loved ones who don’t have the problem themselves but just like with other addictions,” Griffin said. “Yeah, the person whose addicted has the problem but usually the family or somebody in their life is going through it with them.”

For those looking to get help, Griffin says you can call 888-admit-it or 888-236-4848 to reach their line that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

You can also visit their website.