Gambling Addiction Harms Young Americans as Industry Profits

Half of Americans don't see gambling as a moral issue, but the industry's predatory practices are ruining lives.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:21pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Less than one-third of Americans (29%) believe gambling is morally wrong, while 50% don't feel it's a moral issue at all. However, citizens across the country are suffering cascading financial and social harms from highly addictive online sports betting and unregulated prediction markets. The gambling industry's predatory practices, including targeting problem gamblers, are creating a pipeline to addiction, especially among young people.

Why it matters

Gambling can be an immoral activity when it creates or perpetuates addiction, financially or socially harms others, contributes to poor stewardship, or takes advantage of the poor and vulnerable. The gambling industry's business model is designed to profit from these harmful consequences, which are disproportionately impacting young Americans.

The details

The morality of gambling depends on its consequences. When gambling causes addiction, financial or social harm, or takes advantage of vulnerable populations, it is considered immoral. Gambling against a 'house' like casinos, sports books, or lotteries is more likely to have these harmful effects, as the 'house' has a financial incentive for customers to lose as much money as possible. Peer-to-peer gambling like office pools does not generate the same level of harm. However, governments perpetuate immoral gambling by licensing and profiting from these predatory gambling operations.

  • In a lawsuit from last year, the city of Baltimore alleged FanDuel and DraftKings use data analytics to identify and target problem gamblers with advertisements and promotions.
  • A college student at North Greenville University, Eli Thompson, recently wrote an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal describing how online sports betting platforms are making gambling feel like a 'rite of passage' for his friends, leading some to rack up significant debts.

The players

Les Bernal

The national director of Stop Predatory Gambling, who argues that taxpayers end up paying for the social harms caused by state-promoted, addictive betting.

Eli Thompson

A college student at North Greenville University who wrote an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal about how online sports betting is impacting his friends.

FanDuel

An online sports betting company that has been accused of targeting problem gamblers with advertisements and promotions.

DraftKings

An online sports betting company that has also been accused of targeting problem gamblers with advertisements and promotions.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Who do you think pays for all the social services for [those] whose lives have been ruined? Who do you think pays when [the gambler] steals from their employer and the company shuts down? Who pays for all the employees who lost their jobs?”

— Les Bernal, National Director, Stop Predatory Gambling

“What they're doing is squeezing the sports around gambling. The marketing makes it appear that you're no longer a sports fan unless you're betting on something.”

— Les Bernal, National Director, Stop Predatory Gambling

“Today's college sports culture makes betting feel like a rite of passage, and platforms like FanDuel, PrizePicks and BetMGM make it all too easy to pick up the habit.”

— Eli Thompson, College Student, North Greenville University

“I don't want to watch another friend sell his stuff or lie to his family. Because sports betting isn't just harmless fun; it's about guys my age risking their futures, one bet at a time.”

— Eli Thompson, College Student, North Greenville University

What’s next

The judge in the Baltimore lawsuit against FanDuel and DraftKings is expected to rule on the case in the coming months, which could set important precedents for how the gambling industry is regulated and held accountable for targeting vulnerable consumers.

The takeaway

This story highlights the growing public health crisis of gambling addiction, especially among young people, as the gambling industry continues to design predatory practices that prioritize profits over the wellbeing of consumers. Addressing this issue will require a fundamental rethinking of how gambling is regulated and promoted in the United States.