"In states with access to online gambling, bankruptcy rates rose 28% and debt collection amounts rose 8% - roughly two years after legalization, one paper found. Another study found that every dollar spent on sports betting shaved 99 cents off investments - meaning bettors are pulling from savings, not "fun money." A third study tracked a 20% jump in mass-market alcohol consumption and a 75% spike in calls to helplines after legalization."
"The crisis is on display on college campuses, The Economist reports (gift link). "Staples of the young male media diet such as College Game Day ... now weave gambling odds into their segments. Other corners of the manosphere, such as Barstool Sports, the 'Pat McAfee Show' and Theo Von, form partnerships with sports-betting firms and offer promo codes." Colleges' mental health help centers are increasingly hearing from students - overwhelmingly young men - in distress after losing large sums of money in bets."
Legal access to online sports betting correlates with a 28% rise in bankruptcy rates and an 8% rise in debt collection amounts roughly two years after legalization. Every dollar spent on sports betting corresponds with a 99-cent reduction in investments, indicating bettors withdraw from savings rather than discretionary funds. Legalization coincides with a 20% increase in mass-market alcohol consumption and a 75% spike in helpline calls. College campuses see rising distress among predominantly young male students after betting losses. Media and influencer partnerships normalize betting, and AI can refine odds, identify vulnerable moments, and target at-risk bettors, intensifying harms.
Read at Axios
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