NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Sports gambling has taken off in Virginia. Whether it be from the comfort of your home or at a sportsbook, it’s easier than ever to place a bet on your favorite teams. But what about the other side that occasionally gets swept under the rug?

“Specifically, my passion right now is helping people who are on a journey to recovery from problem gambling,” said Norfolk native Azeem Majeed, who works for Virginia Commonwealth University as a peer recovery specialist.

Problem gambling is something that’s really become prevalent in the Commonwealth, as more people than ever are placing bets in Virginia. Since its legalization in the state in 2020, Virginians have placed more than $19 billion in sports bets. In November alone, Virginians bet more than $756 million.

“We need to have a better understanding that this is an addiction, just like substance use, just like alcohol,” said Dr. Carolyn Hawley, who has served as president of the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling for 10 years. “And it has the same effect. And so, having parents understand, as well, that when you’re gambling with youth or making this behavior available and encouraged, you’re also impacting brain development as well.”

According to Hawley, one of the biggest sports gambling spikes VCPG has seen is in younger people.

“I mean, [it’s] just a significant increase,” Hawley said. “It’s a 67% increase in our callers — again from that 2019 period [for] the ages of 18 to 24, and a 47% increase in callers from that age group of 25 to 34.”

That’s why it’s so important for people like Majeed who have lived through addiction experiences like these so that others can relate to him and continue to get better.

“I was able to earn a second chance — … my first chance to be free in a society as an adult,” Majeed said. “One thing that I told myself was that if ever I’m getting my first opportunity to be free out of society as an adult, that I will spend the rest of my life giving back to my community.”

If you or a loved one struggle with a sports gambling addition, you can call 1-800-426-2537 or find resources in Virginia by clicking here.