Surge in Sports Betting Spurs Addiction Concerns

United States, the industry has experienced unprecedented growth, now operating legally in 38 states. Alongside this expansion, concerns about gambling addiction have escalated, with younger demographics and athletes among those affected. On Capitol Hill this week, a Senate judiciary committee hearing highlighted mounting worries over this issue, as lawmakers debated the potential need for federal intervention.

Harms Linked to a Growing Industry

Harry Levant, a gambling addiction counselor and advocate for responsible gaming policies, addressed the committee with a stark warning. A recovering gambling addict himself, Levant s regulated sports betting but condemned what he called an “AI-fueled business model” that perpetuates harm. He emphasized how technology has created a gambling environment that operates at “light speed,” making it difficult for individuals to disengage.

Echoing Levant’s concerns, former NFL player Johnson Bademosi highlighted the ripple effects of addiction, noting its destructive impact on both individuals and their families. “This disease can ruin lives, not only for the bettor but also for their loved ones,” Bademosi told lawmakers.

The issue extends to college campuses, according to Charlie Baker, president of the National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA). Baker urged lawmakers to prioritize protections for students, who are increasingly exposed to the risks of gambling.

While the 2018 Supreme Court ruling gave states the power to regulate sports betting, many have neglected to invest in programs to address problem gambling. Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling (NG), revealed that state allocations for problem gambling services remain alarmingly low. His testimony noted that less than a fraction of a cent per dollar earned from gambling revenues is directed toward addiction .

Whyte also pointed out a stark disparity in public health funding: substance use disorders receive 338 times more resources than gambling disorders. This funding gap, he argued, underscores a systemic failure to address gambling addiction as a significant public health issue.

Lawmakers Debate Federal Oversight

Some senators, including judiciary committee chair Dick Durbin, expressed growing for federal regulations to address the unchecked rise of gambling. “It’s critical that Congress examines the broader impacts of sports betting,” Durbin said, emphasizing that many states lack responsible safeguards.

Senator Thom Tillis voiced similar concerns, advocating for a federal framework to guide state regulations. Meanwhile, Senator Richard Blumenthal proposed two legislative measures, the SafeBet Act and the Grit Act, aimed at mitigating gambling-related harm. “We are facing a gambling addiction crisis of immense proportions,” Blumenthal asserted.

However, not all voices at the hearing ed federal intervention. David Rebuck, a former New Jersey gaming official, argued that states remain better equipped to manage the complexities of gambling regulation. He noted that state-level decision-making allows for greater adaptability compared to a one-size-fits-all federal approach.

The gambling industry, represented by the American Gaming Association (AGA), resisted calls for federal oversight. In a memo following the hearing, the AGA criticized the committee for excluding industry representatives and promoting “misconceptions.”

Despite this resistance, some analysts suggest that the industry’s arguments against federal regulation lack persuasiveness. Steve Ruddock, a gambling sector expert, noted that dismissing congressional concerns outright may backfire. Similarly, Brianne Doura-Schawohl, a problem-gambling lobbyist, warned that denial of harm could lead to stricter regulations resembling those imposed on tobacco.

As the debate continues, both lawmakers and industry players must grapple with balancing the economic benefits of sports betting against its potential public health costs.

Source:

” ‘A serious disease’: Congress weighs federal gambling crackdown amid growing concerns”, The Guardian. December 22, 2024.