Arnold Ventures Funds $2.6M US Sports Betting Research

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Thu Jul 09, 2026, 8:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Arnold Ventures Funds $2.6M US Sports Betting Research

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Arnold Ventures has awarded $2.6 million in grants to support 12 independent research projects examining the effects of legalized sports betting across the United States. 

The funding will help academic institutions and research organizations study how expanding access to sports wagering has affected consumers, households, public health, and state finances.

This initiative comes as more states continue regulating US online sportsbooks while lawmakers debate responsible gambling measures, advertising standards, and tax policies.

Arnold Ventures said the research aims to provide policymakers with independent, evidence-based findings instead of relying on assumptions or limited data.

The grants will support researchers from leading universities and nonprofit organizations over the coming years. Their findings could influence future legislation affecting the broader USA gambling industry.

Arnold Ventures Funds Research to Better Understand Sports Betting's Impact in the USA

Arnold Ventures announced the grants as part of its ongoing commitment to evidence-based public policy. The organization believes legal sports betting has expanded rapidly since the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, creating new questions about its economic and social effects.

In a press release, Arnold Ventures Executive Vice President of Evidence & Evaluation Justin Milner mentioned the speed of that expansion makes independent research increasingly important:

"Just a few years ago, most Americans had to travel significant distances to legally gamble on sports. Today, access to gambling has become so widespread that, in most of the country, anyone with a smartphone could effectively have a casino in their pocket."

"These research projects will shed light on the impacts of this new reality and help policymakers weigh important decisions about whether to legalize gambling, how to regulate it, and how to effectively reduce harm for their constituents," Milner added.

Arnold Ventures also noted that the funded studies will help answer questions that remain largely unresolved despite the industry's rapid growth.

Rather than advocating for or against legalization, the organization wants to strengthen the evidence available to lawmakers considering future gambling legislation.

Studies to Focus on Four Research Areas

The funded projects fall into four major research categories, each examining a different aspect of the modern sports betting landscape.

Consumer Behavior and Betting Risk

Several studies will explore how bettors respond to popular wagering products and promotions. Researchers will examine parlay betting, near-miss experiences, loss-chasing behavior, sportsbook marketing, and bonus offers. Some projects will also test interventions designed to reduce risky gambling behavior before it escalates.

Financial and Household Impacts

Another group of researchers will study whether legal sports betting affects household finances. The projects will investigate possible links to credit card delinquency, financial distress, foreclosure rates, eviction filings, housing insecurity, and family formation. These findings could help determine whether expanded wagering creates broader economic consequences beyond gaming revenue.

Public Health and Social Outcomes

The grants also support research into potential public health effects. Researchers plan to examine mental health diagnoses, prescription drug use, behavioral healthcare spending, suicide rates, and other indicators of community well-being. These studies aim to provide policymakers with a clearer understanding of gambling's wider social impact.

State Policy and Tax Revenue

The final research category focuses on government policy. One project will analyze whether legalized sports betting has generated the tax revenue that states projected before launching regulated markets. Researchers will also evaluate how different regulatory approaches influence financial outcomes for governments.

Universities and Organizations Participating in the Research

The 12 grants will fund projects led by several respected academic institutions and nonprofit research organizations, including:

  • Behavioral Insights
  • University of Wisconsin System
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • University of Pennsylvania
  • University of Texas at Austin
  • Princeton University
  • UCLA
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center
  • Indiana University
  • University of New Hampshire
  • West Virginia University Foundation
  • Urban Institute

Each institution will contribute expertise across economics, psychology, public policy, public health, and behavioral science. Together, the projects will create one of the most comprehensive research efforts focused on legalized sports betting in the United States.

Study Arrives During a Pivotal Period for USA Gambling

The research initiative arrives as the USA gambling landscape continues evolving at a rapid pace. Many states have already legalized sports betting, while others continue debating legislation that could authorize or expand regulated markets. 

At the same time, lawmakers have introduced proposals addressing responsible gambling protections, advertising restrictions, tax rates, and consumer safeguards.

As US online sportsbooks become increasingly accessible through mobile devices, regulators have also intensified discussions about balancing economic benefits with player protection. Reliable data has become essential because many policy decisions rely on limited long-term evidence.

Arnold Ventures believes these independent studies can help fill that gap. Their findings may guide future decisions on legalization, regulatory frameworks, responsible gambling initiatives, and taxation across the country.

Although the research will take several years to complete, the results could shape the next generation of sports betting policy.

For regulators, operators, and consumers, the initiative is a vital step toward understanding legal sports wagering's full impact.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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