Is the addiction of “gambling” gambling with the public health?

Is the addiction of “gambling” gambling with the public health?

KAKALI DAS

Gambling has reached unprecedented levels worldwide, with its influence evident across various platforms. Whether you’re playing a game on your phone and see a sports betting app, listening to a podcast that features one, or scrolling through social media where celebrities boast about their betting wins, the prevalence of gambling is undeniable.

This rise in gambling also brings with it an escalating threat to global health.

A new report from the Lancet Public Health Commission reveals that 450 million people worldwide have suffered harm from gambling. The consequences range from financial ruin and family breakdown to an increased risk of suicide, domestic violence, and job loss. Whether personally, professionally, physically, or mentally, these 450 million individuals face serious negative impacts due to gambling.

Out of these, at least 80 million people are facing severe consequences, suffering from what is now recognized as “gambling disorder.” This mental health condition is marked by compulsive gambling in pursuit of the rare thrill of winning. Those affected often deny the existence of a problem and struggle to quit, making gambling addiction very similar to substance addiction.

It’s a vicious cycle that is hard to break, despite the losses and guilt involved. Today, millions of people, both young and old, are trapped in this struggle.

Around 16% of adults and 26% of adolescents who gamble suffer from this disorder, reflecting a troubling sign of our times. Gambling addiction has become easier to fall into than ever before. With the rapid expansion of the industry, you no longer need a lottery ticket—access to a casino is available 24/7, right from the mobile phone in your pocket.

The result is clear—online casinos and sports betting are now the fastest-growing sectors of gambling worldwide. As internet access expands, so does the reach of the gambling industry, which leverages highly targeted and sophisticated marketing, inundating audiences with a constant stream of ads.

Gambling is a booming market, currently valued at approximately $774 billion and projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, largely driven by online gambling. By the end of this decade, it is expected to have around 300 million users.

This makes the battle especially challenging for countries like India, where gambling laws are complex and often controversial. Regulations vary across states, with most prohibiting gambling, though exceptions exist for activities like lotteries and horse racing. Additionally, states like Goa, Daman, and Sikkim permit casinos.

Meanwhile, online gambling occupies a legal grey area in India—no national law explicitly prohibits it, although it is banned in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Despite these prohibitions, illegal gambling reportedly remains widespread, with the market estimated at $60 billion. The online gambling segment alone is believed to have over 12 million users.

“A new report from the Lancet Public Health Commission reveals that 450 million people worldwide have suffered harm from gambling. The consequences range from financial ruin and family breakdown to an increased risk of suicide, domestic violence, and job loss. Whether personally, professionally, physically, or mentally, these 450 million individuals face serious negative impacts due to gambling.”

In other nations, regulations vary widely. Countries like Japan, Qatar, and Poland have outright bans on gambling, while in places like the UK and Australia, gambling is legal and regulated.

Meanwhile, some countries have reconsidered their stance on gambling. France, for example, is contemplating the legalization of online casinos. Last year, Brazil legalized them, and in 2018, the US lifted its ban on sports betting.

Since then, more states have legalized gambling, making the US one of the largest gambling markets in the world, valued at around $67 billion.

This is the crux of the issue: countries are uncertain about how to handle gambling. Some are legalizing it, hoping for tax revenue, while others are pushing for bans. However, their execution often falls short.

What is clear is that, whether legal or not, the world needs stronger regulations to mitigate the impact of commercial gambling—otherwise, we are jeopardizing public health.

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