The Deceptive Nature of Online Gambling
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The gambling industry’s pitch to normalize addiction and profit from vulnerability
Gambling culture in the United States is nothing new, yet the push to turn everything into a game of chance is becoming too widespread to be unnoticed. While places such as Las Vegas have long served as iconic symbols of American gambling, it appears that nowadays individuals can place bets anywhere, with the convenience of their phone.
The flood of legalized gambling sites comes from the Supreme Court striking down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018. This law outlawed sports betting, excluding a few states which already had their own betting systems. The ruling was viewed as largely controversial as major U.S. professional sport leagues called out the decision, claiming that sports betting could undermine the integrity of games. Since 2018, it is impossible to avoid being bombarded with gambling advertisements or logos while watching sport events.
Advertising for online gambling apps have also gotten increasingly aggressive. These advertisements are meant to be appetizing, and reel people in so that once they place their first bet, they will return. This active promotion of betting has harmed people, and whether it be falling into financial trouble or developing addiction, the legalization and normalization of gambling comes with dire consequences to individuals as a whole.
The promotion of gambling does not stop at sports betting; it has expanded to news coverage as well. A recent partnership between Kalshi, a prediction market app, and CNN has announced a data integration between the two platforms. The pitch is to make prediction markets the future of news, but in reality it is a marketing stunt to normalize gambling in the pursuit of profit. Some money could be made by placing bets on potentially safe options, but what is stopping someone from acting recklessly by placing large bets and losing everything? It seems utterly irresponsible to promote a platform that brands itself as a federally-regulated financial exchange for “event contracts,” yet essentially functions as a typical betting platform.
Well, if gambling seems to be a psychological detriment to society, why is it still allowed? Because it is a highly profitable industry. According to an online gambling market analysis, the industry generated roughly $78 billion in 2024 and projections show it will surpass $153 billion by 2030. However, this industry is not made to make individuals win money by gambling; it is skewed by design. People that actually win and are able to beat the system are banned from placing any more bets. That is because the house is always meant to win, and any hope of winning life-changing money from gambling is an illusion made by those same casinos.
Additionally, reckless gambling has great consequences that can derail people's futures, ruining their lives. Gambling addiction can be considered a gateway drug into becoming dependent on that adrenaline-inducing and dopamine feeling. Making gambling easily accessible through a person’s phone, makes it hard for those who are more susceptible to avoid gambling advertisements. There is even a pressure some people feel toward joining the gambling craze in hopes of making some money by getting lucky.
It is undoubtedly tempting to place a bet on predictions; the desire to feel right about an outcome is a psychological need for self-esteem and control. The gambling industry has successfully managed to exploit this part of human behavior in a disgustingly effective way. They use celebrity spokespersons, who use their broad appeal and trust to serve as brand ambassadors and promote high-risk behavior. They as well strike up partnerships with other companies, such as the previously opposed sport leagues, to legitimize their business. Even advertisements that try to water down the dangers of gambling by promoting the idea of “gamble responsibly” is an oxymoron. There is no such thing as gambling responsibly because it is inherently a game of risk.
So then, where do we go from here? Well it is going to take serious legal challenges to regulate these gambling platforms. There needs to be laws that limit the power of this industry that has become increasingly predatory in the lives of individuals. The Supreme Court decision to strike down the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act was a mistake. I believe the best way to combat the encroachment of the gambling industry into our society is to be aware of the hypnotic appeal of their advertisements. Do not believe in the deceptive marketing that promises you can turn $5 into $200 instantly, it is a clear con man trick.
Sources:
https://www.congress.gov/bill/102nd-congress/senate-bill/474
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/kalshi-becomes-cnn-official-prediction-073203095.html
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/online-gambling-market