The article discusses the booming sports betting industry in the U.S., sparked by a 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowing states to legalize online gambling. With 30 states and D.C. now having legalized it, the industry is worth $10 billion. The prevalence of mobile betting apps has made gambling more accessible but also more addictive, as they can manipulate user behavior with persuasive design features. Experts highlight the risks involved, including the potential for gambling addiction as users become more immersed in the betting culture.
The features that make these products exciting and engaging are also the features that make them addictive, says Heather Wardle, a policy researcher studying gambling at the University of Glasgow.
According to a 2024 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.
The thrill of a win activates the brain's reward system in a way that can warp someone's perception of risk, illustrating the addictive nature of gambling.
The explosion of sports betting in the U.S. has followed a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, leading to the legalization of betting in 30 states and Washington, D.C.
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