With an estimated 80 million people globally suffering from gambling disorders or problematic gambling, the rapid growth of online casinos and sports betting has brought new challenges, particularly affecting young people. The latest report from The Lancet Public Health Commission highlights how the digital expansion of gambling markets exposes children and adolescents to risks at unprecedented levels. Adolescents are particularly impacted, as they encounter gambling-related advertising and promotions more frequently than any previous generation, making them especially vulnerable to the lure of quick monetary rewards and the addictive nature of online gambling platforms.

According to the Commission’s findings, the increasing presence of gambling advertisements and the widespread digital accessibility of gambling sites are significant contributors to gambling problems in young people. Unlike traditional casinos, online platforms are accessible at any time, and they offer instant rewards that are enticing but can quickly lead to addiction, especially among those still developing impulse control. This new exposure to gambling is shown to have broad-ranging consequences, affecting not just an individual’s mental and physical health, but also impacting their financial stability, relationships, and overall well-being. Families and communities are also affected, as gambling disorders often lead to strained relationships and significant socioeconomic consequences.

The Commission underscores that gambling, despite often being marketed as casual leisure, can be a harmful, addictive behavior that needs to be taken as seriously as other public health threats. “Gambling is not an ordinary kind of leisure; it can be a health-harming, addictive behavior,” the report’s lead author stated, further explaining that gambling harms extend far beyond the individual, affecting the financial, relational, and social stability of families and entire communities. These challenges contribute to worsening social and health inequalities, especially among vulnerable and younger populations.

In addition to examining the personal impacts of gambling addiction, the Commission also addresses the broader environment contributing to the gambling crisis. By analyzing social, commercial, legal, and political factors, the report brings to light the commercialized digital transformation of gambling, which has created a complex ecosystem offering enhanced opportunities for addiction and financial exploitation. This commercial shift allows gambling to reach a global audience around the clock, breaking down traditional barriers to participation and making it easier than ever to access addictive games and betting opportunities.

The report urges governments and policymakers to adopt a public health approach to gambling, treating it as an addictive and harmful commodity similar to tobacco and alcohol. To address the surge in gambling-related harm, the Commission suggests implementing preventive measures and regulations that address the widespread impacts of gambling addiction. Such regulations could include stricter advertising controls, age restrictions, and public health campaigns aimed at educating the public, especially adolescents, about the risks associated with online gambling. The report emphasizes that these steps are essential in reducing the negative health, social, and economic impacts associated with gambling.

The Commission’s findings make clear the need for immediate intervention and heightened awareness to prevent gambling-related harm on a societal scale. “By examining these harms, the Commission unveils the intersections between the social, commercial, legal, and political determinants of health,” the report notes, highlighting the urgent need for a comprehensive public health response to gambling. As gambling’s digital expansion continues to grow, taking these preventive actions becomes all the more essential in protecting the most susceptible individuals, especially young people, from falling into harmful gambling behaviors.

Reference :

1. The Lancet Public Health Commission on gambling. Accessed October 30, 2024. https://www.thelancet.com/commissions/gambling.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)