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October 26, 2024
A report published by The Lancet Public Health Commission reveals that approximately 80 million people worldwide suffer from gambling disorders or problematic gambling, with adolescents facing the most significant risks. The study highlights the role of digital transformation, which has propelled the online casino and sports betting markets, creating unprecedented exposure to gambling products, particularly for children and adolescents.
The Commission found that younger populations are especially susceptible due to continuous exposure to gambling advertisements across digital platforms. These advertisements frequently leverage “game-like” designs and promises of “quick money,” which attract adolescents more than ever. Professor Heather Wardle, Co-Chair of the Commission from the University of Glasgow, emphasized the dangers: “Unlike the traditional Las Vegas casino or a lottery ticket, anyone with a mobile phone now has access to what is essentially a casino in their pocket, 24 hours a day.”
An international research team conducted a comprehensive review and found that globally, nearly 448.7 million adults display risk gambling behaviors, experiencing at least one behavioral symptom or an adverse personal, social, or health consequence from gambling. Of these, about 80 million face severe forms of gambling disorders or problematic gambling.
The study also revealed that gambling using online casinos or slot games contributes to gambling disorders in 15.8% of adults and 26.4% of adolescents, while sports betting affects 8.9% of adults and 16.3% of adolescents. Professor Wardle expressed concerns over the sophisticated marketing strategies employed by major technology firms, warning that these tactics can lead to increased gambling frequency and pose significant health risks. “Highly sophisticated marketing and technology make it easier to start and harder to stop gambling. If we delay, gambling and gambling harms will become even more widely embedded as a global phenomenon and much harder to tackle,” she said.
The repercussions of gambling are severe, impacting not only finances but also mental and physical health, relationships, and personal safety. Financial ruin, suicide, family breakdown, domestic violence, job loss, and criminal activities are frequently linked to gambling-related harms.
Dr. Kristiana Siste, a Commissioner from Universitas Indonesia, called for immediate policy actions to protect youth from gambling-related dangers. She noted, “The risks of developing gambling disorders later in life due to early exposure to gambling are clearly evident.”
The Commission advocates for treating gambling as a public health issue, akin to alcohol and tobacco, to protect future generations from potential harm. This policy push aims to mitigate gambling-related health risks and establish stricter regulations for online gambling and its advertising.
