Problem gambling advocate says treatment budget would not meet demand if online gambling is approved

Gambling at casinos has taken off in the state since voters legalized it in 2020. Last year alone, Nebraskans risked $261 million at casinos. This fall, voters could consider a new online sports wagering law. Sports reporter Aaron Bonderson spoke with Mike Sciandra at the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling, who says more resources need to go toward treatment as Nebraskans continue betting big. The answers have been edited for time and clarity.

MIKE SCIANDRA: From a treatment standpoint, we have noticed an uptick in people who are struggling, and that's through a variety of different gaming options. For the most part, the casinos are very good about working with problem gambling treatment and problem gambling prevention. They want to make sure that the player isn't struggling, but they are definitely one piece to the whole thing. Overall, as any of any behavior becomes normalized, it's going to become more prevalent to have those problematic behaviors, and that's kind of what we're seeing currently in the state.

AARON BONDERSON: In mid-January, the U.S. Department of Justice announced an indictment naming dozens of college basketball players involved in a point-shaving scandal, a type of bet and game rigging. I asked Sciandra for his thoughts on the indictment and the integrity of sports and sports betting.

SCIANDRA: There's been point shaving in a variety of ways for many, many years now. And the good thing about this situation, this probe that has kind of come out, and the people who have been found to be a part of it, is that through technology and through legal sports betting, is how a lot of this is found out. And there is something to be said about the more regulation you have with sports betting, the less likely stuff like this is going to happen. We're in a place where, in 2026 we have technology, we have AI, we have all these different tools that can help locate situations like this point shaving system that are found before it becomes an even greater problem.

BONDERSON: Yeah, it's interesting to hear you talk about there are some perks to having the gaming to be legal and therefore, you know, regulated and these companies bringing this data forward to the NCAA and FBI investigators. Is there a counter argument to that about, even though it's legal and therefore easier to snuff out, is there a higher prevalence — if you've seen anything in research or data — a higher prevalence in these sorts of scandals when betting is legal in a state?

SCIANDRA: With everything involving data and sports betting and other gambling, it is all a very fluid situation. The types of betting, the types of gambling, are changing so quickly, especially over the last 10 years, that data is still quite a ways behind as far as specifics. Now that you have the legal entities there and have this technology, you're going to hear about more of it, but it's also because a lot more of it is being caught.

BONDERSON: Two mobile sports betting petitions are still in limbo with the Secretary of State’s office. Nebraska Public Media News obtained records that found the petitions could legalize and regulate online sports wagering in Nebraska. Sciandra said there’s also a budget proposal going through the State Legislature to decrease the amount of money the Compulsive Gambler’s Assistance Fund receives off of gaming taxes from 2.5% to 1%. Sciandra said the fund could receive more money if online wagering is approved, but it may not be enough.

SCIANDRA: But here is the problem: research has shown that mobile sports betting is four times more addictive than other forms of casino gambling. So if we use that logic there, we need to be funding probable gambling treatment at a much higher level than that 2.5%. I understand the reasoning for wanting to bring mobile sports betting to the state from a revenue standpoint, but we cannot ignore the social costs that would come from bringing mobile sports betting into the state.

BONDERSON: And you talked about an increase in calls that you've seen. Is there any sort of regulation to prevent that on the front end that your organization's advocating for at this point?

SCIANDRA: I would say that no matter what safeguards we put in place, those call numbers will increase with having it be as prevalent as it is. I know that at the end of the day, the reason why sports betting, mobile sports betting is something that the voters would vote for in the state is to increase property tax relief. And so while that's very important, we need to make sure that we're providing enough funding for treatment. Those phone calls that we do get, we can keep those numbers down, and then if those numbers do increase, that we have the treatment dollars there, to ensure that Nebraskans get the help that they need.

BONDERSON: That's Mike Sciandra with the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling. Thank you so much for your time.

SCIANDRA: Thank you. I appreciate it.

***

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling, Sciandra said free and confidential treatment is available by calling 1-833-BET-OVER for 24-7 help.