The Lancet Public Health Commission study calls on policymakers to prioritize public health over profit in their approach to gambling, asking for comprehensive solutions that address the issue on a broad scale.
The rise of internet gambling raises public health concerns, and experts urge governments throughout the world to act quickly.
New research reveals significant risks and their financial impact on consumers.
According to a new report published by The Lancet Public Health Commission, the gambling industry’s rapid rise, fueled by cheap internet access and broad legality, poses major health and societal dangers. According to the commission, worldwide gambling losses by consumers might reach $700 billion by 2028 as online platforms that allow individuals to play at any time grow in popularity.
Adam Pettle, who lives in Toronto and is recovering from gambling addiction, told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation that his problems began when he was a teenager. It worsened over time, resulting in significant emotional and financial concerns. He discussed how 24/7 access to online gambling and sports betting applications fueled his addiction.
Pettle’s narrative corroborates what The Lancet report discovered. The paper discusses how online gambling goods draw you in and move quickly, making users more likely to become addicted and lose money.
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Statistics from Canada suggest that about two-thirds of individuals gambled in 2018, with approximately 300,000 at risk of developing significant gambling disorders. Single-event sports betting became allowed in 2021, which intensified the situation.
Then, in 2022, Ontario legalized internet gambling, resulting in what some call a “Wild West” atmosphere. This development concerned public health specialists, who noticed an increase in sports betting advertisements and calls to gambling support hotlines. Data from Ontario’s Problem Gambling Helpline revealed that the number of calls increased from roughly 131 per month before to COVID to 184 per month after online gambling became permitted.
The Lancet pushes for more global gambling controls.
The Lancet advocates for a shift in how governments perceive gaming. It urges governments to prioritize public health before profit and to combat gambling with comprehensive policies aimed at the entire community. These measures would include age restrictions accompanied by mandated ID checks, ad prohibitions, and procedures that force people to exclude themselves. The research also emphasizes the importance of improving consumer protection and establishing independent gaming regulatory bodies.
Experts believe gambling should be treated similarly to tobacco and alcohol: it should be legal but strictly regulated due to the harm it may bring. The panel calls for international cooperation and proposes that organizations like as the United Nations include gambling damage in their health strategies. The research warns that without this, gambling issues would continue to impose a strain on public health systems and undermine societal institutions.
At the same time, the gambling industry slammed The Lancet paper as politically driven and prejudiced, saying that stringent rules might hurt both operators and customers while neglecting possible social and economic advantages.
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