1 in 5 Arizona adults experience gambling-related harm, state report finds

Roughly one in five Arizona adults have experienced adverse consequences related to gambling, according to a survey released Monday by the Arizona Department of Gaming’s Division of Problem Gambling.

The state’s 2026 report, titled Gambling Behaviors, Attitudes and Experiences Among Arizona Adult Residents, found that 18% of adults reported experiencing at least one indicator of gambling-related harm.

The study, fielded in December 2025 among 1,047 residents, was conducted by Problem Gambling Solutions, Inc., led by Principal Investigator Jeffrey Marotta and Lead Research Scientist Glenn Yamagata.

Additionally, approximately 4% of Arizona adults aged 21 and older may meet the clinical criteria for gambling disorder, a medical condition recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.

“As gambling becomes increasingly integrated into everyday life and digital environments, Arizona is strengthening problem gambling prevention and treatment through data-driven innovation and strategic investment,” Elise Mikkelsen, division director, said in a news release.

High participation rates across Arizona

Gambling participation in Arizona remains notably high compared to neighboring states.

About 84% of respondents reported gambling at least once in the past 12 months, outpacing participation rates in comparable states such as Nevada (65%) and Oregon (68%).

Weekly gamblers: The proportion of residents who gamble weekly grew from 25% in 2023 to 30% in 2026.

Risk factors: Among weekly gamblers, 39% fell into moderate to high-risk problem gambling categories, compared to just 7% among those who gamble monthly or less.

Popular formats: The Arizona Lottery and slot machines remain the most common forms of gambling in the state, followed closely by sports betting at 21%.

Among those who gambled, roughly 49% were classified as minimum-risk gamblers, reporting no behavioral symptoms or adverse consequences.

Screening gap in healthcare settings

State officials pointed to a significant gap in routine healthcare screenings, noting that gambling is rarely addressed during doctor visits compared to other behavioral health concerns.

Only 7.6% of respondents reported being asked about gambling during their most recent general health screening. By comparison, 55.4% were screened for mental health concerns and 47% were screened for alcohol or substance use.

“Notably, the survey found that only a small percentage of Arizonans are asked about gambling during healthcare visits, despite substantially higher rates of screening for alcohol, substance abuse and mental health concerns,” Mikkelsen said. “This represents an opportunity to make routine screening an early intervention – helping to identify and support people at risk for problem gambling.”

Because gambling-related harm was strongly linked to mental health and substance use conditions, state leaders see an opportunity to integrate routine gambling screenings into primary care, emergency departments, behavioral health clinics and community health centers.

Helpline awareness on the rise

Public awareness surrounding available state resources has shown steady growth over the past three years.

According to the survey, 48% of Arizonans reported being aware of the state’s dedicated helpline — 1-800-NEXT-STEP — up from 40% in 2023. The helpline, which offers real-time support from Master’s-level counselors, can also be reached by texting NEXTSTEP to 53342.

Furthermore, 45% of respondents knew how to access help for someone struggling with a gambling problem, and 43% believed treatment services were available within their local communities.

Public backing for state intervention remains strong, with 64% of Arizonans agreeing that state leadership in harm reduction efforts is important. In June, the Arizona Department of Gaming secured a 20% increase in problem gambling expenditure authority to expand prevention, education and subsidized outpatient treatment services statewide.

If you or someone you know is struggling with a gambling problem, support is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-NEXT-STEP or texting NEXTSTEP to 53342.

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