The Double-Edged Sword of Digital Gambling Expansion
The explosive growth of mobile gambling fueled by online sports betting and iGaming has transformed the gaming industry, but experts warn it has also introduced unprecedented challenges in addressing problem gambling. Speaking at the Indian Gaming Association conference, industry leaders highlighted how the convenience and accessibility of digital platforms are creating new risks for vulnerable populations.
The “Intangibility of Money” in Digital Gambling
Soojin Ha, a professor at Cornell University, pointed out a critical psychological factor in mobile gambling: the disconnect between digital spending and real-world consequences. “When players use credit cards or digital wallets, they don’t physically see the money leaving their hands, making it harder to track losses,” Ha explained. This phenomenon, she argued, can lead to higher risk-taking behavior compared to traditional casino environments.
Youth and College Students: A Growing Concern in Gambling Awareness
Experts are raising alarms over the increasing vulnerability of young adults and college students to gambling related harm. This demographic is particularly at risk due to the influence of social media personalities promoting gambling as a glamorous lifestyle, widespread misconceptions that sports betting isn’t “real gambling,” and the ease of access provided by mobile betting apps.
Dan Trolaro, Vice President of IC360 and a recovering gambling addict, emphasized the urgency of proactive education. “We need to approach gambling awareness like we do with drugs and alcohol teaching people to recognize unhealthy behaviors before they spiral out of control,” he said.
AI in Gambling: Helpful Tool or Overhyped Solution?
While artificial intelligence is being touted as a way to detect problem gambling, Robert Jacobson of the California Council on Problem Gambling urged caution. “AI is promising, but we shouldn’t abandon proven methods,” he said, pointing to 15 years of interactive data analysis that has helped casinos identify at-risk players and measure intervention success.
The Need for Smarter Safeguards
Kevin Winters of Almond Health Digital called for more sophisticated player protection tools to compete with the gambling industry’s aggressive digital marketing. “If operators can use algorithms to target potential bettors, we should use similar tech to flag risky behavior and intervene proactively,” he argued.
Moving Forward: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility in Mobile Gambling
As mobile gambling surges in popularity, industry leaders, regulators, and health advocates face a critical challenge driving growth while protecting vulnerable players. The conversation now centers on how to create a sustainable gambling environment without sacrificing player safety.
Proposed solutions include implementing stronger age verification systems to prevent underage gambling, setting spending limits, introducing “cool-off” periods for players displaying risky behavior, and using mandatory educational pop-ups to raise awareness about gambling risks.
Experts warn that without these proactive safeguards, the rapid expansion of mobile gambling could lead to significant social and public health consequences.
