Las apuestas deportivas y la nueva cara de la adicción 

Gambling used to only have a few destinations: a casino, a racetrack or even with a bookie. With the rise of sports betting apps, it can now be done easier and faster with a few taps on a phone. 

“Now, there’s no real boundary,” Matthew Laycock says. “With it being more mobile and accessible, it can be done at any time, any place, with no real regulations.” 

Within his role as a licensed addiction counselor at Vail Health, Laycock has treated patients for gambling addiction symptoms that have caused impairment in daily life. Because the same chemicals are activated, he notes that the cognitive effects of substance addiction and gambling addiction can be identical. 

“It’s that immediate dopamine hit that becomes a craving, and over time, you become adapted to it and need to increase the amounts you’re doing, either of a substance or how much you’re gambling, to get that same fix,” Laycock says. “It begins to create anxieties and depression and other cognitive issues … and it becomes a cycle of needing more and more to feel comfortable and feel okay.” 

Sports Betting Is Always Within Reach 

When a person places a bet, their serotonin and dopamine levels spike, and it can increase to a point where even thinking about it, the preoccupation of it, can give those same chemical hits in the body. These spikes increase the likelihood and amount a person will continue to gamble. For some people, this creates a behavioral addiction, a need to do it to feel good. 

Getting that “fix” was less accessible before online betting became a reality. People would have to plan trips to the casino or find bookies to engage in gambling. Now, anyone can open an app, anywhere at any time, to place a bet on any number of sports and other categories. 

“Some people can gamble in a healthy, normal, rational way,” Laycock explains. “Where they’re doing it for fun, to be more engaged in watching sports, connecting with friends, but it’s such a slippery slope.” 

Many apps are already designed to keep users on their screens for as long as possible. In many ways, they increase the likelihood of sports betting addiction. Sports betting outlets like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM will use parlays, special promotions and bonuses to make it easy to place bets. Many apps will even offer cash to keep players betting. All of these are tactics to make playing more convenient and, sometimes, increase compulsive gambling. 

When Entertainment Becomes Addiction 

Online sports betting became popular shortly after it was legalized in 2018, and because it’s so new, there’s not much research on its greater effects. 

“It’s so new in a lot of ways that it’s easy to separate the addiction from the fun that can be involved,” Laycock says. “There is little insight and knowledge behind how quickly it can become addictive.” 

Recognizing the Warning Signs 

In his practice, Laycock has noticed how good people are at rationalizing behaviors. Some will fall into denial as a mechanism to protect their ego and to not feel the anxiety or consequences connected to the action. This is one major warning sign that gambling has gone too far. 

Another is preoccupation. When a person is betting at every opportunity, spending most of their free time on it, or constantly thinking about gambling in a way that impedes normal activities, that’s when entertainment turns into a problem. One of the most common signs, however, is when a person can’t stop the action. This can be financially and socially detrimental, and the risks of online sports betting can become a dark reality. 

“I think oftentimes people recognize, maybe this has been too much and I should stop,” Laycock says. “But there’s always something pulling them back to it for that next little fix.” 

Laycock calls it an ego fence, an inability to admit that there’s a problem. Even if other people are able to identify it, addiction can stop a person from admitting there may be an issue. 

Finding a Way Forward 

This is why seeking help from trusted people can be the first step towards gambling addiction treatment. Whether it’s a friend, family member or therapist, relying on a social network can make a big difference when facing addiction. Laycock also recommends support groups and local community resources. 

“AA works for a lot of individuals because it is that social network, that social support … and so I think it’s very similar for gambling,” Laycock says. “It’s that connection with others and filling that void in a new way.” 

In Colorado, state offices are working toward legislation that limits the impact of gambling addiction. Starting August 12, 2026, a Senate bill banned credit card funding and placed a limit on account deposits. The law also prohibits app notifications that solicit bets or deposits from the user. Like many states, Colorado has a Self-Exclusion List, a resource that allows people to ban themselves from all forms of gaming under the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission and the Colorado Division of Gaming. 

Dónde obtener ayuda 

• Colorado Self-Exclusion Program: Allows individuals to voluntarily ban themselves from participating in Colorado gaming. 

• Problem Gambling Coalition of Colorado: Education, prevention and support resources for problem gambling. 

• 1-800-GAMBLER: Confidential support and referrals for people experiencing gambling problems. 

• National Problem Gambling Helpline: 1-800-MY-RESET. 

• BetBlocker: A free tool that can block access to gambling websites and apps. 

With football season around the corner, sports betting can be a way to engage with your favorite team, fellow fans and the broader sports community. But when any of the warning signs arise, Laycock encourages people to be on the defense and seek help to treat addiction.