Institute for Family Studies links sports betting to mental health issues in young men

A study by the Institute for Family Studies (IFS) has linked daily online sports betting to significant mental health challenges among young men, particularly those aged 18 to 29. The research indicates that frequent gambling is associated with increased loneliness, depression, and feelings of failure.

According to the findings, approximately 66 percent of daily players report feeling like failures. The study suggests a cyclical relationship where young men may turn to gambling as a coping mechanism for stress, which in turn exacerbates issues such as social isolation, lack of romantic partnerships, and substance use, including marijuana and drugs.

In the United States, the IFS noted that 1 in 10 young men consider their gambling-related problems to be severe or extreme, while 29 percent classify them as moderate. The research highlights that these digital habits often function as a continuous routine driven by rapid access and advertising triggers, which can mask underlying psychological distress.