GLP-1 drugs tied to lower gambling cravings, doctor says
Noom is funding the study as US casinos posted almost $125bn in gross gaming revenue in 2025.
The hit
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, through its MindCORE centre, are launching a 180-person study into how GLP-1 drugs affect financial decision-making. Participants will get regular MRIs to track reward-system responses to images of casinos & jackpots, according to Wharton neuroscientist Michael Platt. Platt told CBS News GLP-1s will likely cause “structural remodeling of the brain” that affects financial choices. Digital health company Noom is funding the research.
Why it matters
If GLP-1 drugs genuinely dampen the brain’s reward response to betting, that’s a new front in responsible gambling, separate from self-exclusion tools or affordability checks. For an industry watching record casino revenue, a pharmaceutical angle changes who might intervene & how early.
The record
| US adults with a gambling problem | About 20m (NCPG estimate) |
|---|---|
| US commercial & tribal casino revenue, 2025 | Almost $125bn, an all-time high (Casino.org) |
| US adults active in prediction markets or sports betting | 17% (Northwestern Mutual) |
| Gen Z participation in prediction markets or betting | 32% (Northwestern Mutual) |
| Boomer participation in prediction markets or betting | 3% (Northwestern Mutual) |
What happens next
Watch for results from the Penn study once participants complete their MRI sessions.
Sources: GLP-1 Could Help Problem Gamblers Lose More Than Weight
18+. Betting involves risk. If gambling is a problem for you or someone close to you, help is available.
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