Unions have spent decades building peer support for members dealing with drinking and drugs. Gambling hasn't gotten the same attention, and sports betting on a phone has made it easy to miss.
What we know, and what we don't
Gambling disorder affects about 1 to 2% of the U.S. population. Beyond that, the data on union members is thin. When a Saint Louis University researcher surveyed union workers in 2025, the call for participation said no reliable information existed yet on how union workers engage with gambling.
What we do know is who bets most. Pew Research found 31% of adults 18 to 29 bet on sports in the past year, including 36% of young men. Apprentices and young members fall right in that group.
Why it matters for members
- Paycheck rhythms. Weekly pay and overtime checks put cash in hand on predictable days, and payday is a high-risk time for a lot of bettors.
- Downtime on the job. Long shifts with breaks, travel and time between tasks leave room for live betting on a phone.
- Families feel it first. Spouses and parents often notice missing money before a member says anything.
- It hides behind other problems. Gambling often shows up alongside drinking, debt and stress, the issues member assistance programs already see.
What member assistance programs can do
- Ask about gambling. Add three quick screening questions to intake. See how to screen for gambling problems.
- Train stewards and peer volunteers. Give them the signs, a few words to start a conversation, and where to send a member.
- Connect members to debt help. A nonprofit credit counselor through NFCC.org can help a member build a plan.
- Include families. Gam-Anon meetings and the national helpline both support family members.
- Use the peer model you already have. Members trust members. Someone in recovery from gambling can reach people a pamphlet can't.
FAQ
Is gambling covered by our member assistance program?
Many programs cover it, but members often don't know. Say so explicitly in your materials and at meetings.
What should a steward say to a member who might be betting too much?
Keep it private and specific: what you've noticed, that you care, and where help is. Mention the program and the helpline at 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738). Don't lend money to cover the losses.
Bring Unbettable to your members
A course for members on money, debt and how the apps work, a version for stewards and peer volunteers, private recovery tools, and your program's number first. Start with a pilot.
See how it worksSources: Labor Tribune: survey of gambling in the union workforce, 2025; Pew Research Center, 2025; National Foundation for Credit Counseling; Gam-Anon.