Gambling is as big a health risk as alcohol and tobacco, experts say

GAMBLING HAS LONG BEEN REGARDED AS ADDICTIVE – WITH WARNINGS ON SCRATCH-OFFS AND LOTTERY TICKETS AND SUPPORT GROUPS FOR THOSE STRUGGLING TO STOP.

AND SINCE TECHNOLOGY ENTERED THE RACE… IT’S ONLY GOTTEN WORSE.

NOW – AN INTERNATIONAL GROUP OF HEALTH EXPERTS IS CALLING FOR GAMBLING TO BE TREATED IN THE SAME WAYS AS ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO.

IN A REPORT COMMISSIONED BY MEDICAL JOURNAL “THE LANCET” – EXPERTS SAID ONLINE BETTING HAS GROWN THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY SO MUCH… IT’S BECOME A PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

AT LEAST ONE FORM OF GAMBLING IS LEGAL IN 80 PERCENT OF COUNTRIES WORLDWIDE…

AND RESEARCHERS FOUND WHEN IT COMES TO ONLINE CASINO OR SLOT PRODUCTS… 16 PERCENT OF ADULTS…

AND 26 PERCENT OF ADOLESCENTS HAVE GAMBLING DISORDERS.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO SPORTS BETTING – THEY ESTIMATE 9 PERCENT OF ADULTS…

AND 16 PERCENT OF ADOLESCENTS HAVE SUCH DISORDERS.

THEY SAY ABOUT 450 MILLION PEOPLE DISPLAY AT LEAST ONE BEHAVIORAL SYMPTOM OR HAVE EXPERIENCED A HARMFUL PERSONAL, SOCIAL OR HEALTH CONSEQUENCE OF GAMBLING…

AND AT LEAST 80 MILLION OF THEM SUFFER FROM GAMBLING DISORDER.

AND THE STUDY’S AUTHORS SAY THOSE ARE *CONSERVATIVE* ESTIMATES.

IN THEIR REPORT — THE COMMISSION CRITICIZED GOVERNMENTS WORLDWIDE FOR PAYING TOO LITTLE ATTENTION TO THE HARMS OF GAMBLING AND NOT IMPLEMENTING SUFFICIENT GAMBLING-RELATED PUBLIC HEALTH PROTECTIONS.

THEY RECOMMEND THAT, MUCH LIKE WHAT IS DONE FOR ALCOHOL AND CIGARETTES, LEADERS TAKE STEPS TO RESTRICT GAMBLING ACCESS AND ADVERTISEMENTS… LAUNCH MARKETING CAMPAIGNS ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF GAMBLING… AND PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO SUFFER HARMS.

THE AUTHORS ARE ALSO CALLING ON GOVERNMENTS TO IMPLEMENT AND ENFORCE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS AND BETTING LIMITS.