Whether you’re watching live sports events or hanging near popular areas like Footprint Center, it’s clear sports betting has become prominent in the Valley. But it’s not all big wins.

Since sports betting was legalized in Arizona back in 2021, calls to the 1-800-NEXT-STEP gambling hotline have risen sharply, according to the state’s Division of Problem Gambling.

Over the past few years, the division has found:

• Gross event wagering receipts totaled approximately $15.7 billion
• Over 300 hotline calls in 2021
• 614 hotline calls in 2022
• Over 700 hotline messages since 2021

With more sportsbooks popping up all across the valley, Director Elise Mikkelsen said this increase did not surprise the division at all. She said it’s something that’s been expected for awhile and doesn’t expect the numbers to go down anytime soon.

Read more at AZFamily.com