Arizona’s Betting Boom: Younger Bettors Fuel Surge in Wagering Dollars

Arizona analysts are watching sports betting trends closely during the Summer Olympics.

PHOENIX — Crafting a bet has become more of a science than a gamble for some young sports bettors.

“It’s my second job,” said Zakkary Sparks, a sports bettor. “I do spend a lot of time on it. Analytics, pitcher matchups, stadium, weather, things like that.”

When a bet hits, those bettors say there is no better feeling.

“It makes your night. It makes your week,” said Nick Schmidt, another sports bettor. “My first bet I hit $1,000. That’s what got me hooked.”

Douglas Martin spent most of his life chasing that rush. “Gambling is the focus of my life unfortunately,” Martin admitted.

Martin entered recovery two years ago after decades of battling a gambling addiction. Now, he helps others take that step, too.

“It’s a dream because I suffered for so long,” Martin said. “These kids are starting younger and younger, and it needs to be nipped in the bud now.”

Martin is a peer counselor at Algamus, a residential gambling recovery center in Goodyear. About 80% of their clients are in their 20s.

“They definitely start young. They start gambling underage. They are gambling among their friends,” said Ken Litwak, Executive Director of Algamus.

For many of them, the wager of choice is sports. “Sports gambling certainly has changed the field completely,” Litwak noted.

Litwak said his approach for helping the younger generation is evolving. The conversation is starkly different with young gamblers than it is with older ones.

The Arizona Department of Problem Gambling reports that calls for help have increased since sports betting became legal in 2021. “Arizona jumped out of the gate,” said Christopher Boan, Gambling.com analyst.

The number of dollars wagered on sports grows significantly each year, according to the Arizona Department of Gaming. Within the past six months, Arizona has had four of its highest revenue months on record.

“Every year it keeps getting bigger and bigger, and every day somebody turns 21,” Boan added.

July and August are typically quiet months for bettors, but Boan said that might change with the Summer Olympic Games starting on July 26. “Sports like men’s and women’s basketball in the Olympics will be a big draw,” Boan predicted.

Several sportsbooks in Arizona, including DraftKings, FanDuel, and Hard Rock, told 12News that the most popular summer Olympic sports for bettors are basketball, soccer, and tennis.

A Hard Rock Digital spokesperson added that Badminton, Volleyball, Rugby, and Handball are also seeing action. A DraftKings spokesperson mentioned strong bettor affinity for Team USA and US athletes.

Regardless of the sport, experts attribute the convenience and availability of online gambling apps as a significant factor for younger bettors. “We all live near a casino right now. I have one in my pocket right now, my phone,” Litwak noted.

Martin highlights how video games create addictive habits that can evolve into gambling problems. “You’re grooming eight-year-olds to do what they’re going to legally do ten years from then,” he warned.

After decades of gambling, Martin hopes younger addicts walk toward recovery sooner than he did. “I wish I had gotten help a long time ago,” he said, emphasizing the importance of his work now. “I’ve got a lot left to give.”

If you or someone is impacted by problem gambling, call 1-800-NEXT-STEP for more resources.