Arizona’s sports-betting surge is coming with a serious warning label. A new state survey finds that nearly one in five Arizona adults, almost 20%, fall into a moderate-to-high risk category for gambling-related problems. The same research reports that 84% of adults gambled in the past 12 months, and roughly 30% say they place wagers at least weekly. Those numbers land as the state’s betting market has grown at high speed since legalization, raising pointed questions about prevention, treatment capacity and consumer protections.
State Survey and Key Findings
The research, released this week by the Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling, used the nine-item Problem Gambling Severity Index to sort participants into different risk levels. As detailed by the Arizona Department of Gaming, the survey classified nearly 20% of adults in the moderate-to-high risk bands and found that 84% had gambled within the past year.
Elise Mikkelsen, director of the Division of Problem Gambling, told AZFamily she was “kind of surprised by the dramatic increase in frequency at this point in time,” noting that about 30% of adults now report gambling weekly. Mikkelsen and the survey authors pointed to easier access, including new apps, more operator options and off-platform alternatives, as likely drivers of that shift.
Handle and Market Context
Event wagering and daily fantasy became legal in Arizona after 2021 legislation and an amended tribal compact opened the door to licensed online and retail operators. According to the state’s monthly wagering figures from the Arizona Department of Gaming, licensed operators handled more than $670 million in bets in May 2026, a snapshot of how routine wagering has become for many residents. Legal Sports Report traces both the law and the market’s official launch back to 2021.
Where to Get Help
The survey also reports broad public support for the department’s treatment services, along with higher awareness of available help resources. For anyone who needs immediate, confidential support, the Arizona Division of Problem Gambling offers a 24/7 helpline at 1-800-NEXT-STEP (1-800-639-8783) and a text service, text NEXTSTEP to 53342, as listed on the division’s helpline page (Arizona Division of Problem Gambling).
The survey relied on the validated Problem Gambling Severity Index, which defines scores of 3 to 7 as moderate risk and scores of 8 or higher as problem gambling. Public health officials say the combination of high participation and a large moderate-to-high risk share supports calls to expand screening in primary care and behavioral health settings, increase access to treatment and strengthen outreach to communities that experience the greatest gambling-related harms. For the full findings and additional context, see reporting from AZFamily.
