Gambling online? Watch out for these risks, say public health experts

"Online betting is more accessible than ever, with 14% of U.S. adults saying they bet on professional or college sports online either frequently or occasionally, according to a February poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. It's also in the news, with a growing list of sports betting scandals making headlines.Public health advocates and personal finance advisers say it's important to know the risks if you're going to gamble online."

"For those new to online gambling, it can be helpful to set limits in advance on how much you're willing to lose and how much time you're willing to spend. Many of the platforms and apps that offer gambling, such as FanDuel and DraftKings, include optional safeguards to limit time or losses. Other apps can block access to the platforms for set amounts of time.Here's what to know:"

"Online gambling can be riskier than gambling in person The potential losses of digital betting can occur more quickly than in a physical casino, according to Heather Eshleman, director of operations at the Maryland Center for Excellence on Problem Gambling, since people can bet so much so easily and quickly on the internet or apps, with less friction.The new prevalence of prediction markets, such as PredictIt and Kalshi, has also created new opportunities to place wagers online on everything from election outcomes to celebrity news to the weather."

Fourteen percent of U.S. adults report betting on professional or college sports online either frequently or occasionally. Since 2018, 38 states and Washington, D.C., have legalized sports betting, expanding access. Digital wagers can result in faster losses than in-person gambling because apps reduce friction and enable rapid, repeated bets. Prediction markets broaden wagering options to elections, celebrity news and weather. Platforms such as FanDuel and DraftKings offer optional time and loss limits, and some apps can block access for set periods. Public health and finance advisers recommend setting loss and time limits before gambling online.

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