Online Gambling Growth Raises Public Health Concerns
The online gambling explosion is being watched by public health experts who warn of the growing social and financial costs. A report by The Lancet Public Health Commission says governments worldwide must put health before profits and introduce stricter gambling regulations.
Financial and Social Costs of Gambling Growing
The Lancet Public Health Commission says global gambling losses could hit $700 billion by 2028 thanks to online platforms. These platforms, available 24/7, are making gambling more widespread and potentially more destructive for individuals and communities.
Adam Pettle, a Toronto resident in recovery from gambling addiction, shared his story. “It all started when I was a teenager,” he told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He described how the constant availability of online gambling and sports betting apps deepened his addiction, leading to significant personal and financial consequences.
His experience aligns with findings in The Lancet report, which highlights the addictive nature of online gambling products and their fast-paced design that heightens risk.
Canada as a Case Study in Gambling Trends
Canada is a case study in the problem of online gambling. In 2018, 64% of Canadian adults gambled and 300,000 were at risk of developing a serious gambling problem. Single event sports betting was legalized in 2021 and online gambling in Ontario in 2022 and that’s made things worse.
Public health professionals are seeing an increase in sports betting ads and calls to gambling support services. Ontario’s Problem Gambling Helpline is seeing monthly call volumes go from 131 before the pandemic to 184 after online gambling was legalized.
Call for International Action
The Lancet report calls for a change in how governments approach gambling, to treat it as a public health issue not a revenue stream. The report suggests population-wide measures including:
- Age restrictions with ID checks
- Ad bans
- Robust self-exclusion mechanisms
- Independent regulatory bodies
It compares gambling to tobacco and alcohol regulation and says gambling should be subject to similar controls because of the harm it causes. It also recommends international cooperation and says the United Nations should include gambling related harm in its health initiatives.
Industry Pushes Back
The gambling industry is dismissing The Lancet report as political and says too much regulation will harm both operators and consumers. They argue the economic and social benefits of gambling are being ignored and stricter controls will push consumers to the black market.
As online gambling grows the problem can’t be ignored. Public health experts want comprehensive regulations to reduce harm but the industry is concerned about the economic impact so it will need to be a delicate balance.
