Gambling: A Threat to Public Health, Global Study Warns

A new international study published in “The Lancet” has revealed the extensive damage caused by gambling, labeling it a significant threat to public health. Experts in gambling research, public health, global health policy, risk control, and regulatory policy conclude that the negative impacts of gambling are far greater than previously understood, constituting a global problem.

The research team warns of severe consequences, stating that “gambling addiction can lead to physical and psychological harm, destroy relationships and families, increase the risk of suicide, cause financial ruin, promote crime and domestic violence, and lead to job loss.” These findings align with observations in Malawi, where unregulated gambling markets have led to suicides and destitution. Social scientist Junious Mabu Sichali emphasizes the need for countermeasures as a public health issue.

Nearly Half a Billion People Affected

The study estimates that 450 million people worldwide are affected by gambling, experiencing at least one behavioral symptom or personal, social, or health-related disadvantage. Of these, 80 million suffer from a gambling disorder or problematic gambling behavior. The impact extends beyond the gamblers themselves, affecting family members, social communities, and colleagues.

Heather Wardle, co-chair of the commission, highlights the danger of the digitalization of gambling: “Anyone who owns a mobile phone today has 24-hour access to a casino in their pocket.” She notes the rapid growth of online sports betting and online casinos, facilitated by sophisticated marketing and technology that makes it easier to start gambling and harder to stop.

Stefan Gutwinski, an addiction expert and psychiatrist at Charité Berlin, has observed this trend in his studies on sports betting. He explains that online betting apps have replaced traditional betting shops, making it harder to gather reliable data on risky gambling behavior and addiction.

Aggressive Marketing Targeting All Platforms, Including Children

The report also addresses the aggressive marketing tactics employed by gambling and betting providers, particularly in sports. Gambling advertisements are ubiquitous during football broadcasts, and illegal offers are widely promoted online. Ronald Benter from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Länder expresses concern about the lack of engagement from tech giants like Google in curbing these practices.

Children and adolescents are routinely exposed to gambling advertisements, and gambling is often integrated into video games. Co-author Kristiana Siste from the University of Indonesia explains that young people are particularly vulnerable to the allure of easy money and the playful design of online games. The industry often portrays gambling as harmless entertainment.

In Western industrialized countries, two to three percent of the population is affected by gambling addiction. Among athletes, the rate is significantly higher. Tobias Hayer, a psychologist and gambling researcher at the University of Bremen, estimates that eight to ten percent of sports club members experience gambling-related problems.

Factors contributing to this include the pervasive advertising of betting providers, especially in football. Athletes’ competitive nature and desire to quantify performance, combined with their knowledge of the sport, can create the illusion of easy money. Boredom, particularly among professional footballers with ample free time, can also lead to addiction.

The researchers emphasize that gambling must be recognized as a public health problem. Co-author Malcolm Sparrow from the Harvard Kennedy School advocates for treating gambling like other addictive and unhealthy products, such as alcohol and tobacco.

The commission calls for an effective and well-equipped regulatory system, international cooperation, and leadership to mitigate the public health consequences of commercial gambling. This is necessary in all countries, regardless of whether gambling is legal. They recommend reducing the availability of gambling, minimizing exposure for vulnerable groups, providing more support and treatment options for addicts, and launching educational campaigns about the harms of gambling.

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