By Allison Parshall edited by Jeanna Bryner. Sports betting is everywhere now. Advertisements for betting apps starring famous athletes play during game broadcasts and on social media. Commentators discuss betting odds live on air. This explosion has followed a U. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a law that had prohibited most states from legalizing sports betting.
So far 30 states and Washington, D. According to a survey, one in five people have an account with an online sports betting service, and most of those people use a betting app on their smartphone. These mobile apps have made sports betting quicker and more accessible than ever. If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
Gambling in any form can be addictive. There are three phases to developing a gambling problem, explains Lia Nower, who leads the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University.
First, a person starts to overemphasize their wins, leading them to gamble more. This then causes a downward spiral into desperation and hopelessness, which can lead to financial or even physical harm for the person and those around them.
Like addiction to substances such as alcohol or opioids, gambling addiction is considered a mental health disorder. Gambling can impact entire families and communities.
