WORCESTER, Mass. - The state’s first retail sports books are prepared to open Tuesday, and local casinos are expected to draw crowds.
But, Maricia Amarsingh, a licensed addiction specialist in Worcester, isn’t sharing in the excitement.
"It is very concerning for me," said Amarsingh "It's new, it's exciting. Many of our younger population, especially the teenagers into early adults, would want to engage in that. And there is a predisposition to any form of addiction."
What You Need To Know
- Legal sports wagering at Massachusetts casinos begins Tuesday at 10 a.m.
- Licensed addiction counselor Marcia Amarsingh said she's concerned gambling addiction could become more of an issue
- Amarsingh says since the COVID-19 pandemic, she has seen more cases of gambling addiction
- The Massachusetts Gaming Commission said licensed venues all have sufficient problem gambling plans ahead of the launch
Amarsingh said having more ways to gamble means more ways to get addicted.
"Gambling addiction, like other addictions, really stimulate parts of the brain," said Amarsingh. "Particularly, the nuclear accumbens that stimulates the production of dopamine, which gives you that feeling of euphoria and happiness."
Amarsingh said there are several warning signs in someone who has a gambling addiction. They include lying to cover up your gambling, depression or anxiousness, sleeping and eating changes and gambling even after continued losses.
Amarsingh pointed to stock market issues a few years ago as a period when she saw an increased number of addiction, and there has been another upward trend recently.
"Since COVID, we have seen an increase in all addictions, including gambling addiction," Amarsingh said.
Ahead of Tuesday's launch, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission held one final public meeting, where they too addressed the issue.
"Each licensee has submitted a problem gambling plan," said Mark Vander Linden, the commission's director of research and responsible gaming. "I'm happy to report that each licensee's plan is sufficient the launch."
Amarsingh said becoming addicted is a process, and something to pay attention to over time.
"We will look at those symptoms over a period of 12 months to determine that that person meets criteria for a gambling disorder," she said.
If gambling is starting to cause dire consequences for you legally, financially, or maybe it's starting to impact your relationships with friends and family, Amarsingh said that's usually a good sign that somebody needs to call and get help.