‘It’s (Probably) Not Rocket Science’ talks about the high stakes of sports betting and binge drinking

University of New Mexico Associate Professor Joshua Grubbs Joined the latest episode of It's (Probably) Not Rocket Science (IPNRS), titled "The High Stakes of Sports Betting & Binge Drinking," to talk about how sports betting and binge drinking have become increasingly intertwined since gambling laws changed in 2018.

Grubbs, who teaches in UNM's Department of Psychology, is also an investigator at the Center on Alcohol, Substance Use and Addictions (CASAA) and directs the Behavioral Addictions and Associated Disorders Lab.

Grubbs began studying gambling around 2015. He pointed out that gambling and alcohol "have been linked together… you can go all the way back to the Prohibition era," adding that sports and drinking share a similar cultural tie.

"Now we're widely making it legal to access sports gambling," said Grubbs. "Naturally, these things probably should be even more related to each other, and sure enough, that seems to be what the research is showing."

Using data from about 4,000 adults across the country, Grubbs' research found that sports gambling "really seems to be super popular among young men," a group already known for higher rates of alcohol use.

"The group that we're seeing the most problematic rates of this drinking and gambling kind of co-occurring together is among young men," said Grubbs. Yet women who regularly bet on sports "are drinking at rates very comparably to young men."

The connection is likely cultural.

"When you watch sports, you drink. "You can't make it through college game day on Saturdays or NFL game day on Sundays without seeing a lot of alcohol ads," said Grubbs.

Because sports gamblers often watch more games, he said, "you're probably having a beer, but what if you're watching two or three games in a row? That's probably not just one beer."

National data reflect similar trends.

"States that legalized mobile sports betting have seen increases in binge drinking rates among young men by about 10 percent," Grubbs said.

His own two-year study also found that people that were increasing their sports gambling were increasing their drinking.

Grubbs highlighted how the surge in mobile betting apps is amplifying risky behavior.

"People are placing bets during games, watching while they drink, and lowering their inhibitions, often leading to more impulsive wagers," said Grubbs. In-play or "prop" bets, which allow wagers mid-game, create what he described as "slippery slopes that frequently lead to harm."

Grubbs praised New Mexico's rule prohibiting alcohol on casino floors, calling it "an excellent policy for multiple reasons." He said separating drinking from gambling "makes it less likely that you're extremely disinhibited while gambling" and that "those little friction point add up when you look at a total public health perspective."

At the national level, he urged states to proceed carefully.

"Having limits on prohibiting prop bets, prohibiting in-play betting is always wise because it does reduce the risk of people becoming extremely impulsive," said Grubbs.

Grubbs also called for more federal funding for gambling research.

"There's never been federal funding for gambling research," said Grubbs. "All gambling research comes from foundations, private groups, or states."

He states larger studies are needed to track long-term effects, along with more attention to youth exposure.

"High schoolers view gambling as a normal part of the game," said Grubbs, adding that some teens even place bets through parents' accounts.

His advice to sports fans: moderation and separation.

"If you want to have a beer while you're watching the game or place some bets, there's probably nothing wrong with that," said Grubbs. "If you want to do both at the same time, that's when you're likely to have problems."

Grubbs encouraged listeners to treat gambling like any other form of entertainment spending.

"If you say I gamble 100 bucks a month because it makes the games more fun, good for you," said Grubbs. "But if you start finding yourself losing or overstepping that budget, that's when we start getting really concerned."

For those seeking help, Grubbs recommended the National Problem Gambling Hotline and the New Mexico Council on Problem Gambling, which provides low- or no-cost treatment.

"Even if you're a college student here at UNM and have concerns about it, the psychology clinic within the Department of Psychology also treats problem gambling."

"As always," said Grubbs, "drink responsibly, bet responsibly."

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