How Digital Sports Wagering Fuels the Impending Gambling Epidemic in the United States and the Australian Cautionary Tale

Addiction experts fear a coming national epidemic to rival the opioid crisis." 1 In its history, the United States government has enacted numerous initiatives to combat different forms of addiction stemming from substances such as drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. 2 A general consensus exists that keeping addiction rates low leads to improved overall public health, economic prosperity, and stronger domestic relationships. 3 In the past, raising awareness about the dangers of these vices as they gain popularity, along with closely regulating the predatorial marketing procedures associated with them, have maintained these goals. 4 Looking at those practices, it would logically follow that the federal government would have an interest in closely monitoring, and promoting awareness with respect to, the modern digital world of sports wagering.On the contrary, in recent years the United States government has taken a lenient approach to regulating digital sports wagering and has avoided attempting to thread together the patchwork legislation governing digital sports wagering. 5Concern continues to grow from those within the public health industry that this permissive approach aids in fueling the next major national public health crisis.