Global Surge in Online Gambling Raises Public Health Alarms

A commission of 22 international experts analyzed surveys and studies to assess the impact of gambling. They found that nearly 16% of adults and over 26% of adolescents engaging with slot machine games and online casinos suffer from gambling disorders. Additionally, more than 16% of adolescents and almost 9% of adults involved in sports betting are affected by addiction.

“Gambling is not a simple leisure activity; it is a health-harming addictive behavior,” the researchers stated. They emphasized that the harms of gambling extend beyond individual health, impacting wealth, relationships, families, and communities. These effects can lead to lifelong issues and exacerbate societal inequalities.

The study notes that gambling is legal in some form in over 80% of countries worldwide. In the United States, sports betting is legal in 38 states and Washington, D.C., with mobile sports betting permitted in 30 states. This widespread accessibility has contributed to a rising number of individuals at risk. Approximately 5% of women and nearly 12% of men experience gambling-related risks. Globally, up to 449 million people could be affected, with around 80 million adults suffering from gambling disorders.

The commission criticized governments for not implementing sufficient protective measures. They called for stricter age requirements, public awareness campaigns highlighting the negative effects of gambling addiction, and improved care for those affected. “Our systematic review uncovered substantial deficiencies in the global monitoring of gambling harms,” the researchers noted, pointing out that reliance on population surveys with methodological flaws hampers accurate assessment.

In many countries, even basic data on gambling is lacking, leading to a fragmented understanding of the issue’s true scale. The researchers urge immediate action to address these gaps and mitigate the growing public health crisis linked to online gambling.

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