Back in 2018, When the Supreme Court had ruled Murphy vs. NCAA and gave a green signal to the 30 US states for legalizing sports betting, it opened a passage for the state lawmakers to increase the revenue of state treasury.
The lawmakers may have forgotten why gambling was considered a vice in the first place.
With limited resources and treatment available, it has become challenging for the health care department to keep up with the speed at which lawmakers are flaunting legalized gambling.
Why Legalized Gambling isn’t a solution
The adoption of sports gambling laws in 30 plus states has happened at a much quicker pace than the lotteries, which were rolled out slowly over the decades and still haven’t been adopted in five states.
Along with making sports betting legal, state lawmakers are also vouching for online and mobile app betting. However, the rules of such wagering may vary from state to state.
But, these game operators have no mechanism to protect consumers from gambling problems and addiction.
Despite Many objections and calls made by the national council on gambling, no funding has been suggested in the proposals for problem gambling treatment and prevention services.
Why Gambling addiction needs more attention than ever
Like substance addiction, gambling addiction is also a condition that requires treatment and supervision; with states like Florida racing to legalize gambling, it is essential to note the danger coming into light.
Legalizing gambling may look like a money-making machine for the states and their lawmakers. Still, in the end, it’s going to leave families with gambling-related addiction, bankruptcy and crime, mental health crises, and other financial burdens.
The time is right for raising the awareness of this addiction and promoting comprehensive programs to prevent, treat, and research problem gambling, especially in the states where sports betting has been legalized.
