UNLV Study Documents Elevated Problem Gambling Rates Among Colorado Residents

Interim findings from an ongoing University of Nevada, Las Vegas study point to notable patterns in gambling behavior across Colorado, where researchers surveyed 500 randomly selected residents including both gamblers and non-gamblers, and preliminary data shows 7% of those who gamble experience serious problems at rates comparable to those observed in Nevada, according to lead researcher Shane Kraus.

The survey, conducted as part of a broader examination of sports betting impacts, reveals that 4% of Coloradans participate in sports wagering while the problem gambling rate sits 2 percentage points higher among women than men, and these figures emerge alongside state revenue data showing $6.4 billion in sports betting wagers that generated $47 million in tax revenue during the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Survey Design and Data Collection Methods

Researchers at UNLV designed the study to capture a representative sample through random selection of Colorado residents, which allowed inclusion of both active gamblers and those who do not participate in betting activities, and this approach provides a baseline for understanding how sports betting integrates into broader community behaviors since the legalization of such activities in the state.

Data collection focused on self-reported experiences with gambling frequency, financial impacts, and related difficulties, while the interim release highlights early indicators without waiting for the complete dataset that will arrive after the Super Bowl when additional responses and follow-up analysis become available.

Key Preliminary Findings on Problem Gambling

The 7% rate among surveyed gamblers stands out because it aligns closely with Nevada figures that have long served as a benchmark for high-access gambling environments, and observers note this similarity despite Colorado's more recent expansion into widespread sports betting markets, which raises questions about how quickly problem rates can stabilize or shift in newer jurisdictions.

Among the 4% of Coloradans who bet on sports, the gender breakdown shows women facing a problem gambling rate 2 percentage points above men, which researchers plan to explore further in final results by examining factors such as betting platforms, marketing exposure, and social influences that may contribute to these differences.

Revenue Generation and State Fiscal Impact

Sports betting activity produced $6.4 billion in total wagers during the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which translated directly into $47 million in state tax revenue, and these numbers reflect the rapid scaling of the market since legalization while also underscoring the dual outcomes of economic benefit alongside potential social costs identified in the UNLV research.

State officials track these figures through regulatory reporting requirements that operators must meet, and the revenue stream supports various public programs even as the study continues to monitor how problem gambling rates may influence long-term policy decisions around responsible gaming initiatives and treatment funding.

Context Within Broader Research Timeline

The UNLV project remains active with final results scheduled for release after the Super Bowl, when researchers expect to incorporate additional survey responses and refine their analysis of trends across demographic groups, and this timeline allows for more comprehensive comparisons to other states that have implemented sports betting in recent years.

Shane Kraus and the research team emphasize that the current data represents an early snapshot rather than a conclusive assessment, which means stakeholders including regulators, operators, and public health agencies will review the complete report before drawing conclusions about necessary adjustments to consumer protections or support services.

Conclusion

The interim UNLV findings provide an early window into Colorado's sports betting landscape by linking participation rates, demographic variations, and revenue outcomes within a single dataset, and as the study progresses toward its post-Super Bowl completion, these preliminary indicators offer a foundation for ongoing evaluation of how expanded gambling access affects resident well-being across the state.