In the United States, mobile sports betting is rapidly expanding, but behind it lies a concerning reality: gambling debts are accumulating. Nowadays, users can easily place bets with just their smartphones and credit cards. Although this emerging industry has brought huge profits, it has plunged many ordinary gamblers into financial distress.
A recent survey by "U.S. News & World Report" shows that one-quarter of sports bettors are unable to pay their bills due to losing money, and 15% owe at least $500 due to gambling. Rachel Volberg, a gambling research expert at the University of Massachusetts, is not surprised by this. She notes that similar issues have already appeared in Australia and Europe, and the U.S. is just following in their footsteps.
Volberg emphasizes that regulation should not wait until problems erupt but should set up "guardrails" in advance. She suggests that all online betting platforms require users to set deposit, loss, time, and betting limits before placing bets to prevent addiction. Meanwhile, Massachusetts has established a statewide "self-exclusion" mechanism that allows users to proactively block their own betting accounts.
She also calls on major sports leagues to take on more social responsibility, not only focusing on revenue but also addressing the integrity and social impact issues brought by the rapid expansion of betting. As the industry grows rapidly, regulatory and protection mechanisms are equally indispensable.
