Epic Research Tracks Rise in Gambling Disorder Diagnoses After Sports Betting Expands Legally

Researchers at Epic Research examined electronic health records spanning nearly 200 million patients and identified clear shifts in diagnosed gambling disorder rates between the first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2026. The analysis focused on quarterly diagnosis rates measured per 100,000 patients and compared outcomes in states that legalized sports betting against those that kept it illegal. Data showed quarterly rates climbed from 3.0 to 4.8 per 100,000 patients in jurisdictions where sports betting became legal, representing an increase exceeding 60 percent, while rates in states where sports betting remained prohibited edged slightly downward during the same period. The study covered eight years of records and highlighted that the upward movement appeared most pronounced among young men. Observers note the pattern emerged after multiple states passed legislation permitting sports wagering, which expanded access through mobile apps and retail locations. Those who reviewed the figures point out that the dataset drew from a broad cross-section of U.S. healthcare providers using Epic systems, giving the numbers substantial scale.

Scope of the Data Collection

Epic Research pulled records from healthcare organizations nationwide, capturing diagnosis codes related to gambling disorder across diverse age groups and regions. The timeline began in early 2018, before widespread legalization, and extended through early 2026, capturing the period when more than twenty states authorized sports betting. Analysts tracked quarterly incidence rather than cumulative totals, allowing direct comparison of diagnosis frequency before and after policy changes took effect. This approach revealed steady increases in legal states that contrasted with the modest declines observed elsewhere.

Demographic Patterns in the Findings

Young men accounted for a disproportionate share of the additional diagnoses in states with legal sports betting. Records indicated that this subgroup experienced the steepest climb, while other demographic categories showed smaller or negligible shifts. The data did not isolate causation but documented the correlation between expanded legal access and higher diagnosis counts. Experts who examined the results emphasize that the nearly 200 million patient sample provided enough statistical power to detect these subgroup differences reliably.

State-by-State Comparisons

States that legalized sports betting recorded the 60 percent rise, whereas states that maintained prohibitions saw rates fall by a small margin. The divergence became visible after 2018, when the U.S. Supreme Court decision opened the door for state-level legalization. Analysts segmented the data by legal status at each quarter, producing side-by-side trends that remained consistent across multiple regions. Figures reveal that the overall national rate reflected the split between these two groups of states.

Timing and Context in Mid-2026

By July 2026 the analysis had been circulating among public health researchers and state regulators for several weeks. The Q1 2026 endpoint captured the most recent complete quarter available at the time of publication, allowing observers to assess nearly eight full years of post-legalization data. Public health departments in several states began referencing the numbers when reviewing existing responsible gambling programs. The report itself appears on the Epic Research site under the title "Gambling Disorder Diagnoses Have Risen More Than 60% in States That Legalized Sports Betting," where detailed methodology and additional breakdowns are available. Data from the same records showed no comparable acceleration in states that had not changed their statutes. This contrast helped isolate the variable of legal sports betting availability from broader societal trends. Researchers who parsed the results note that diagnosis rates remained low in absolute terms, yet the relative change stood out because of the large patient base.

Methods Behind the Analysis

Epic Research applied standard diagnostic codes to identify gambling disorder cases within the de-identified records. Quarterly snapshots allowed tracking of new and ongoing diagnoses without double-counting. The team adjusted for population changes and healthcare utilization rates to reduce confounding factors. Because the dataset spans multiple states and payer types, the findings reflect patterns across insured populations rather than a single demographic slice.

Conclusion

The Epic Research review supplies one of the largest-scale examinations to date of diagnosed gambling disorder trends following sports betting legalization. Rates rose more than 60 percent in states that permitted the activity, while they declined modestly in states that did not. The increase concentrated among young men, and the underlying records covered nearly 200 million patients over eight years. Public health officials and researchers continue to monitor these figures as additional quarters of data become available.