Arkansas’ problem gambling helpline has seen more than 4,520 calls placed so far in 2026, noting a 22.5% increase over the same period last year.
The uptick in people seeking help for gambling-related issues has occurred at a time when sports betting handle has reached more than $450.9 million through June 30, 2026, suggesting the size of the market and people adversely affected by gambling go hand-in-hand.
Arkansas Problem Gambling Council Experiences Record Number of Callers
Commenting on the latest numbers, Arkansas Problem Gambling Council executive director Vena Schexnayder has analyzed the jump in people placing calls and what may have triggered it – besides the pure sports betting volume.
According to Schexnayder, one of the key drivers of the trend has been the increase in gambling marketing ads and the introduction of new local gambling companies, with FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook expanding into the state over the spring through partnerships with land-based properties.
Sports betting handle has picked up by more than 50% during the first six months of 2026, reaching a record $450.9 million placed. However, sports gambling is not the only regulated form of gambling, meaning that the calls being placed to the helpline are not necessarily and exclusively tied to sports betting.
Big Sports Events Habitually Drive Callers Seeking Help
However, major sports events have often been seen as a key driver of increased calls and people seeking help in the state. During March Madness this year, the Problem Gambling Council similarly highlighted the need for vigilance and noted that more people had been calling.
In 2025 alone, more than 7,000 calls were placed to the helpline, but 2026 may exceed this total. March Madness has been specifically flagged as a trigger for problem gambling by Schexnayder, who has said that the ability to gamble remotely has been a contributing factor to the outcomes that the state’s problem gambling organization was witnessing at the time – and presently.