(Radio Iowa) - With the Super Bowl this Sunday, Iowans might be willing to wager on the outcome to make it a little more interesting.
While five dollars between friends is likely harmless, the temptation to go bigger is strong for some, and that could be a sign of a larger problem. Chris Sekorski, a substance use counselor at Emplify Health by Gundersen, says gambling on pro sports has never been easier -- or more hazardous. You used to have to go to a casino or Las Vegas, he says, but with the rapid proliferation of sports betting apps for smartphones, now it's in the palm of your hand.
A study done in 2021 for the Iowa Department of Public Health found more than 18-thousand adult Iowans met the criteria for having a gambling disorder. Help is available in Iowa by calling 1-800-BETS-OFF.