Created Equal: Sports betting causing a public health crisis?
Americans waged a record-high $119.8 billion in 2023 as more states allowed online and casino sports betting.
FILE - Fox Sports broadcaster Greg Olsen, who placed the first ceremonial bet in North Carolina, shows his receipt during a DraftKings event celebrating the launch of mobile and online sports wagering across the state at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, March 11, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C.
The sports betting business is booming, with Americans waging a record-high $119.84 billion in 2023 as more states allowed it.
One of the side effects of this particular gambling boom is the way sports betting is fueling a public health crisis.
Gambling is among the most pernicious addictions in our society, causing great psychological and emotional damage, as well as financial loss. Gambling addicts have a long-documented increased risk of suicidal ideation or attempted suicide.
Dr. Shane Kraus is the director of the Behavorial Addictions Lab at UNLV, which conducts research on compulsive behaviors, including gambling. Saul Malek is a public speaker who raises awareness on the perils of gambling addiction by sharing his personal story. Both joined Stephen Henderson on Created Equal to discuss sports betting’s impact on Americans.
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Guests:
Shane Kraus is a professor of psychology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is also the director of the Behavorial Addictions Lab at University of Nevada, Las Vegas, which conducts research on compulsive behaviors, including gambling.
Gambling addiction from sports betting affects people from all backgrounds and demographics. “Sports betting is more common among men with higher incomes, but it’s too early to draw conclusions about who is most affected,” Kraus said.
Saul Malek is a public speaker who educates the public on the perils of gambling addiction by sharing his personal story as a compulsive gambler in recovery, which started in 2017. After years of compulsive gambling took over his life, Malek was able to start on a path to long term recovery thanks to access to a rehabilitation program.
“My recovery program has been a wholesale change in my behavior,” said Malek.
If you or someone you know has a gambling addiction, the national helpline for problem gambling is 1-800-GAMBLER.
Listen to Created Equal with host Stephen Henderson weekdays from 9-10 a.m. ET on 101.9 WDET and streaming on-demand.
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