Connecticut report says 1.8% of state residents suffer from problem gambling
A study has found 67.8% of Connecticut residents consider the current availability of gambling in the state to be “fine”.
The study, carried out by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, revealed a general ambivalence towards gambling in the state, with 93.5% rating the recreational activity as “not at all” or “not very” important.
Over two-thirds (67.2%) of the over 5,000 residents surveyed believe the risk of gambling harm outweighs the benefits. Meanwhile, 69.2% pointed to addiction as the biggest risk of legalised gambling in Connecticut.
However, 70.8% believe the responsibility for minimising gambling harms falls between gamblers and providers, while 68.7% have no opinion over the integrity and fairness of how gambling is offered in Connecticut. Just 17.3% are dissatisfied with the Connecticut government’s ability to minimise gambling harms.
Of the positives of legalised gambling, employment and increased government revenue led the way with 21.6% ..
A study has found 67.8% of Connecticut residents consider the current availability of gambling in the state to be “fine”.
The study, carried out by the Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, revealed a general ambivalence towards gambling in the state, with 93.5% rating the recreational activity as “not at all” or “not very” important.
Over two-thirds (67.2%) of the over 5,000 residents surveyed believe the risk of gambling harm outweighs the benefits. Meanwhile, 69.2% pointed to addiction as the biggest risk of legalised gambling in Connecticut.
However, 70.8% believe the responsibility for minimising gambling harms falls between gamblers and providers, while 68.7% have no opinion over the integrity and fairness of how gambling is offered in Connecticut. Just 17.3% are dissatisfied with the Connecticut government’s ability to minimise gambling harms.
Of the positives of legalised gambling, employment and increased government revenue led the way with 21.6% and 20.1% respectively. Also mentioned was financial and employment benefits for tribes (12.7%) and the increased ability for Connecticut to retain money that would otherwise have left the state (13.5%).
Just 1.8% of those surveyed was categorised as a problem gambler, equivalent to approximately 50,000 adults across the state’s population of over 3.6 million residents. 4.9% were considered at-risk, while 62.6% were classified as recreational gamblers.
In fact, the report stated that Connecticut’s land-based market was experiencing a year-on-year decline until online casino launched. Its gross gaming revenue (GGR) then improved 0.34% following online casino going live in the state.
Connecticut was one of six states chosen for the study. The smallest jump in land-based GGR after igaming’s launch was Pennsylvania’s 0.14%. Michigan, meanwhile, saw its land-based casino GGR jump by a significant 4.89%. The study largely discounted the view that igaming cannibalises land-based casinos.