The number of sports bookmakers is declining as the number of betting dollars in Arizona grows

PHOENIX – Inventing a gambling game that is considered more science than gambling for some young gamers.

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

When the bet hits, those bettors say there’s no better feeling.

“It makes your night. It makes your week,” said Nick Schmidt, sports salesman. “My first bet I won $1,000. That’s what made me a liar.”

Douglas Martin has spent most of his life chasing that race.

“Unfortunately, gambling is my priority,” said Martin.

Martin recovered two years ago after decades of struggling with gambling addiction.

Now, he is helping others to take that step, too.

Martin said: “It’s a dream because I suffered for a long time, a very long time gambling, so I know what it’s like. “These kids are starting younger and younger, and it needs to be addressed now.”

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

“They really start young. They start gambling at a young age. They’re betting among their friends,” Algamus CEO Ken Litwak said.

For many of them, the choice is sports.

“Sports gambling has really changed the playing field,” Litwak said.

Litwak says his approach to helping the new generation continues.

“The conversation is completely different from that of a person who is in his 50s, who has had 25 years of gambling experience, gambling in a casino, and says ‘I have had enough.’ I can’t do this anymore. Help me stop,” said Litwak. “That is a very different conversation from the one my parents sent me here. They are tired of me wanting to get out on bail.”

The Arizona Department of Problem Gambling reports that requests for assistance have increased since 2021 when sports betting becomes legal in Arizona.

“Arizona jumped out of the gate,” Gambling.com analyst Christopher Boan said.

The number of dollars wagered on sports each year is growing exponentially, according to the Arizona Department of Sports.

In the past six months, Arizona had four of the highest income months on record.

Boan said: “Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger in terms of the stakes, in terms of revenue to the government, and every day someone turns 21.”

July and August are traditionally “dead” months for bettors, but Boan said that could change this year with the Summer Olympics starting on July 26.

“It is clear that having sports such as men’s and women’s basketball in the Olympics will be a big challenge. Moreover, I don’t know how many people will bet on things like the track and field and bad things,” Boan said.

Several Arizona sportsbooks, including DraftKings, FanDuel and Hard Rock, told 12News the most popular sports for the Summer Olympics are basketball, soccer and tennis.

A spokesperson for Hard Rock Digital said Badminton, Volleyball, Rugby and Handball are some of the niche Olympic sports still playing during the games.

A DraftKings spokesperson said its vendors have a strong relationship with Team USA and US athletes.

Irrespective of the game, experts believe the ease and availability of online gambling applications as a support for the new generation.

“We all live near the casino now. I have one in my pocket right now, my phone,” Litwak said.

Martin said he sees firsthand how children’s video games create addictive behaviors that turn into gambling problems.

“You’re training eight-year-olds to do what you are, legally they’re going to be ten years from then,” Martin said.

After decades of gambling, Martin said he hopes new addicts recover faster than he did.

Martin said: “I wish I had gotten help a long time ago, but I didn’t, that’s why it’s important for me to be there and help other people.” I still have a lot to give.

If you or someone else is affected by a gambling problem, call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or click here for more resources.

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