PENNSYLVANIA, USA — March Madness has tipped off and more sports bettors are taking shots from downtown, hoping to make a splash. The American Gaming Association is projecting $2.7 billion dollar in bets on this year's tournament.
Pennsylvania's sports betting market has never been bigger.
"Pennsylvania's always at the forefront and the higher numbers of how much money is being wagered," said Josh Ercole, executive director of the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania.
This is the 5th NCAA Basketball Tournament since online sports betting was legalized in the Commonwealth and more users have joined every year, drawn in by "risk-free" introductory offers.
It's a free throw Ercole says isn't really free.
"If somebody's gambling, that's usually one of the goals is that I'm going to be able to win and I'll win some type of prize or I'll win something valuable or money, but that should be part of the entertainment and it shouldn't be the driving force behind it," he said.
It's been nothing but net gains for gambling operators and the state's revenue.
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board reported a 9% revenue increase from February 2023 to February of this year. That's typically a big betting month because of the Super Bowl.
"The numbers are still just absolutely exorbitant. Availability, participation, unfortunately, problems that some people folks are facing or reporting," Ercole said.
Calls and texts to the state's gambling helpline have been increasing, with younger bettors reaching out for help more often.
"Prior to online availability it was really a much higher age demographic that we saw," Ercole said.
Ercole encourages bettors to call a timeout before placing a wager, making sure to set time and spending limits to keep from fouling out during tourney time.
Visit the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania webpage for more information on problem gambling.
