Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month Call Attention to Heightened Problem Gambling Risks

Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month in June are powerful reminders that the men and fathers in our lives deserve protection not only from physical health risks, but from hidden dangers like problem gambling — especially following the legalization of online sports betting. In Florida, the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine is seeing firsthand how quickly sports wagering can spiral, and how critical it is for men and their families to reach out for help early. Data referenced throughout this blog post comes from FCCG’s recent “Sports Betting Impacts in Florida” HelpLine Report, which can be downloaded here.

Men, Sports, and Higher Problem Gambling Risk

Across addictions, being male is a well-established risk factor, and gambling is no exception. FCCG’s 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine data show that among those engaged only in online sports wagering in 2025, an overwhelming 97% were male, underscoring how disproportionately this form of gambling is impacting men in our state. National and international research has similarly found that men are more likely to engage in higher‑risk gambling and experience gambling-related harms, reinforcing what the HelpLine is already seeing on the ground.

Online sports betting also skews younger, which further compounds the risk for men, since young adult males are already a high‑risk group for addiction. In 2025, nearly two-thirds (64%) of online sports bettors contacting 888-ADMIT-IT were age 30 or younger, compared to just 27% among gamblers of all other types. This means that many fathers, sons, brothers, and partners are encountering gambling problems at a stage of life when they are building careers, relationships, and families—multiplying the impact of each bet that goes too far.

What the Florida Problem Gambling HelpLine Data Reveals

Since 2017, Florida has seen a 79% increase in “help only” contacts from in‑state residents to the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine, reflecting a growing need for support as gambling opportunities expand. After the legalization of online sports betting in December 2023, there has been a 138% increase in Florida help seekers citing “online gambling” of all types as the primary gambling problem compared to 2023, clearly linking expanded access with a surge in people needing help.

Within online gambling, sports betting has become the dominant issue reported by help seekers. In 2023, 242 contacts (56%) who identified online gambling as their primary problem cited sports betting specifically; by 2024 that number jumped to 650 (70%), and in 2025 it climbed again to 844 contacts, still 69% of all online gambling contacts. Even as online casino gambling contacts also grew—from 270 (29%) in 2024 to 379 (31%) in 2025—sports betting remains the leading driver of online gambling harm reported to the HelpLine, not a short-lived spike.

The financial and emotional toll is striking. More than half (57%) of online sports bettors in 2025 reported difficulty paying household bills due to gambling, and nearly all (92%) said they had gambled away savings, equity, or retirement funds. Almost half (46%) reported selling or pawning assets to fund their gambling, and more than one-third (35%) reported being homeless or staying with friends or family because of the financial strain caused by gambling. These are not “just games”—they are decisions that can upend entire households.

Snapshot: How Problem Gambling is Affecting Florida’s Men Following Sports Betting Legalization

Impact area	Key data from 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine	Who is most affected
Gender	97% of online sports bettors contacting the HelpLine in 2025 were male.	Men and boys engaged in sports betting.
Age	64% of online sports bettors were 30 or younger in 2025.	Young adult men, including students and early‑career workers.
Bills & basics	57% had difficulty paying household bills due to gambling in 2025.	Men supporting households and families.
Savings & assets	92% gambled away savings/equity/retirement; 46% sold or pawned assets in 2025.	Men jeopardizing long‑term financial security.
Housing stability	35% reported being homeless or staying with friends/family because of gambling.	Men facing housing instability tied to gambling debts.
Mental health	70% reported anxiety and 67% depression in 2025.	Men struggling silently with emotional distress.
Suicidality	21% of online sports bettors reported suicidal ideations or attempts in 2025.	Men in acute emotional and financial crisis.

Men’s Mental Health: Hidden Harm Behind the Bets

The mental health impacts of problem gambling often remain concealed, particularly among men who may feel pressure to “handle it” themselves or to appear in control. Florida HelpLine data show that in 2025, 70% of online sports bettors reported anxiety and 67% reported depression, illustrating how closely gambling problems are tied to emotional distress. Suicidal thoughts or attempts were reported by 21% of online sports bettors in 2025, up from 20% before legalization, a deeply concerning trend when combined with serious financial losses and relationship strain.

Gambling problems rarely exist in isolation. In 2025, 62% of online sports bettors contacting 888-ADMIT-IT reported other addictions such as alcohol, drugs, or other compulsive behaviors, reflecting complex, overlapping challenges that require integrated support. At the same time, gambling is increasingly showing up at work and school: more than half of online sports bettors—51%—reported problems at work, and nearly half (48%) reported problems at school in 2025, likely fueled by the ease of placing bets on phones and laptops during the day.

Relationships also absorb the shock. In 2025, 63% of online sports bettors reported family conflict and 42% reported family neglect, showing that children, partners, and extended family members bear substantial emotional and financial collateral damage from one person’s gambling. Significant life events—such as a big win or peer pressure—often act as tipping points: in 2025, 25% of online sports bettors said a “big win” was the event that turned their gambling into a problem, and 24% cited being influenced by others to gamble.

Father’s Day: Protecting Fathers, Sons, and Families

Father’s Day is often filled with sports, gatherings, and promotions that can normalize or even glamorize heavy betting, particularly online sports wagering. For men already at higher risk of gambling problems, these cultural cues can become dangerous triggers that escalate casual betting into a serious disorder. Florida data show that gambling often begins young: in 2025, half (50%) of online sports bettors in need of help started gambling at age 20 or younger, and 77% started before age 26, meaning many fathers today began gambling long before they started their families.

When gambling problems surface, the consequences reach well beyond the individual. More than half of online sports bettors contacted 888-ADMIT-IT in 2025 because of financial crises—such as overspending, substantial recent losses, or overextended debt—situations that directly threaten family stability. Even among those with relatively high incomes (average income of online sports bettors in 2025 was $114,932), gambling-related debts and losses remained substantial, with average reported lifetime gambling losses of $146,905. These numbers help explain why so many families find themselves facing overdue bills, depleted savings, and housing instability linked to gambling.

Men’s Health Month provides an opportunity to talk about gambling the same way we talk about blood pressure, cholesterol, or mental health checkups. Asking a father, partner, or son how much time and money they are spending on gambling—especially on mobile sports betting apps—can be as important as asking about stress levels or sleep. Early conversations can open the door to early help, long before a crisis hits, and can make it clear that seeking support is a sign of responsibility, not weakness.

888-ADMIT-IT: Free, Confidential Help for Men and Families

For men in Florida who are worried about their sports betting—or for loved ones worried about a father, partner, or son—the 888-ADMIT-IT Problem Gambling HelpLine is available 24 hours a day, every day, and offers free, confidential, multilingual support. The HelpLine connects callers, texters, and chat users with a wide range of resources, from counseling referrals and support groups to financial and self‑help tools, tailored to each person’s unique situation. Since 2017, contacts to the HelpLine have risen sharply—79% more Florida “help only” contacts in 2025 than in 2017—demonstrating that many people are already taking this important step toward recovery.

If you or someone you love is struggling with sports betting or any form of gambling, you can reach 888-ADMIT-IT in the way that feels safest and most convenient:

• Call 888-ADMIT-IT (236‑4848) anytime, day or night.
• Text 888-ADMIT-IT to connect discreetly via mobile phone.
• Start a live chat at GamblingHelp.org for real-time online support.
• Email fccg@gamblinghelp.org or use the free mobile app for additional tools and resources.

This Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month, consider one simple step: talk openly about gambling and share the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine with the men in your life. Reaching out for help is a powerful way to protect health, preserve relationships, and build a safer future for Florida’s fathers, sons, and families.