Rhode Island residents have a growing reason to be concerned: a silent addiction is taking hold on college campuses across the state, and most parents have no idea it is happening.
Experts say sports betting addiction in Rhode Island is spreading rapidly among young adults, and the state’s own laws are making it worse.
Rhode Island is one of only six states in the country where the legal sports betting age is 18, giving college students a direct and legal path to gamble.
Professor Patrick Kelly of Providence College, who studies problem gambling, says that open access is contributing to a growing addiction crisis. He has documented students using financial aid and student loan money to place bets, then going without food or basic expenses after losing.
Kelly calls it a “silent addiction,” and the label fits. One Providence College student put it plainly: “If I were addicted to alcohol or drugs, you might see it in my appearance. But you can’t see sports-betting addiction. It’s hidden. It’s mental.”
Why Sports Betting Addiction Is Hard to Spot
Unlike alcohol or drug addiction, gambling leaves no visible marks. Because all the activity happens on a phone, parents are frequently unaware their children are struggling. That invisibility is part of what makes this form of addiction so dangerous, and so easy to dismiss.
In Rhode Island, more than 80% of all sports bets placed during fiscal year 2025 came through mobile and online platforms. A smartphone is all it takes to place a wager, check odds, or lose a week’s worth of grocery money in minutes.
People ages 18 to 35 make up more than half of all users on SportsbookRI, the state’s only officially sanctioned sportsbook app. That means the platform’s core user base is overwhelmingly young, the same population most vulnerable to developing compulsive behaviors.
What the Research Says About Young Gamblers
The data paints a troubling picture nationally and in Rhode Island. A 2025 survey by the Siena College Research Institute and St. Bonaventure University found that 22% of Americans, and 48% of men ages 18 to 49, reported having at least one online sportsbook account.
A 2023 NCAA-commissioned survey found that 16% of 18- to 22-year-olds who bet on sports reported at least one high-risk behavior, such as betting daily, wagering $50 or more at a time or losing more than $500 in a single day.
Separately, that same NCAA survey found that more than two-thirds of young respondents believed they could win more money if they gambled consistently, and about 80% said advertising made them more likely to bet.
In other words, the industry is successfully marketing an addictive product to people who don’t fully understand the odds.
Understanding Sports Betting Addiction
Sports betting addiction, also called gambling disorder, is a recognized behavioral addiction. It involves a compulsive need to keep wagering despite mounting financial, emotional or personal harm.
Unlike substance addictions, there is no drug involved, which is why it often goes undiagnosed for years. Common signs of gambling addiction include:
- Spending more money on bets than intended
- Lying to family or friends about gambling activity
- Using financial aid, loans, or borrowed money to place bets
- Feeling anxious or irritable when not gambling
- Continuing to bet after significant losses in an attempt to “win it back”
- Neglecting school, work, or personal relationships
Research shows that young adults involved in problem sports betting often experience financial distress, academic struggles, and mental health crises. The earlier these signs are recognized, the better the chances of recovery.
Rhode Island’s Gambling Revenue vs. the Human Cost
Legalized sports betting has proven financially significant for Rhode Island, generating $37.8 million in state revenue during fiscal year 2025. But critics argue that dependence on that revenue stream makes the state unlikely to tighten restrictions.
Professor Kelly acknowledged the challenge directly: “Rhode Island depends heavily on gambling revenue,” he said, adding that he is not optimistic about meaningful reform in the near term.
That tension, between state income and public health, means families and individuals cannot wait for policy changes. Recognizing the signs of gambling disorder and connecting to treatment early is critical.
Finding Gambling Addiction Treatment in Rhode Island
If you or someone you love is showing signs of sports betting addiction, help is available now. Gambling addiction is treatable, and recovery is possible with the right support.
Rhode Island residents can reach the Rhode Island Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-401-499-2472, available around the clock. The National Problem Gambling Helpline is also available 24/7 by calling or texting 1-800-426-2537.
Addictions.com lists verified treatment centers in Rhode Island that specialize in behavioral addictions including gambling disorder. Call 1-800-913-1755 for local options and to speak with someone today.