Youth Gambling Addiction Surges Amid Sports Betting Boom

Critics say easy access to online sports betting and in-game betting are fueling a public health crisis.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:35am

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Sports betting has surged in recent years, and critics say it has led to a public health crisis of gambling addiction, largely affecting young men. Easy access to online sports betting on phones and the proliferation of in-game betting are cited as two key factors driving the surge in gambling addiction. Former addicts and experts warn that today's youth are also finding ways to place bets, with concerns that the industry is not doing enough to protect vulnerable populations.

Why it matters

The rise of sports betting and the ease of access through mobile apps and in-game betting have created a public health crisis, with young people increasingly falling victim to gambling addiction. This raises concerns about the long-term impacts on individuals, families, and communities, as well as the need for stronger regulations and protections to prevent further harm.

The details

Critics say there are two main factors fueling the surge in gambling addiction: easy access to online sports betting on phones and the proliferation of in-game betting, which allows for live betting during a game. Former addict Bryan Biehl described how he would place bets from wake-up to bedtime, racking up $40,000 to $50,000 in debt. He said the gaming companies would constantly reach out, offering incentives to deposit more money. Harry Levant, a former gambling addict and now a nationally renowned gambling therapist, said the industry is in the midst of a public health crisis, with young people finding ways to bet even though the legal age is 21. Penn State Abington student Nuke Beauplan started betting in high school through a cousin's account and experienced anxiety and stress from losing bets with his limited income.

  • In 2021 through 2025, intake calls to the state helpline increased by 40%, with most callers being men seeking help.

The players

Bryan Biehl

A former gambling addict who described his addiction, at its height in his early twenties, as placing online sports bets from wake-up to bedtime and accumulating $40,000 to $50,000 in debt.

Harry Levant

A former gambling addict who is now a nationally renowned gambling therapist and an advocate with the Public Health Advisory Institute. He said the industry is in the midst of a public health crisis and called for reform in the legalized gambling space.

Nuke Beauplan

A 20-year-old Penn State Abington student who began betting in high school through a cousin's account and experienced anxiety and stress from losing bets with his limited income.

Gillian Russell

The co-author of the 2025 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment and the leader of a gambling problem screening day at Penn State Abington.

Josh Ercole

The representative from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania, which runs a state helpline, who said the highest call volume is typically within the 25-34 age range, but the fastest growth is in the 18-24 age range.

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What they’re saying

“We are in the midst of a public health crisis.”

— Harry Levant, Former gambling addict and nationally renowned gambling therapist

“This is an epidemic both in college and in high schools.”

— Harry Levant, Former gambling addict and nationally renowned gambling therapist

“You can deposit money within 2 seconds.”

— Nuke Beauplan, Penn State Abington student

“A lot what we're seeing in this space is how they gamble and what they gamble on is tending to change a little. They engage in different types of gambling that we maybe don't see as gambling at surface level. So, gambling within video games, skins betting, loot boxes.”

— Gillian Russell, Co-author of the 2025 Pennsylvania Interactive Gaming Assessment

“So, the highest call volume now is typically within like the 25-34 range. But the fastest growth that we've seen and highest exponential growth is with that 18-24 range.”

— Josh Ercole, Representative from the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania

What’s next

Experts continue to call for more regulation, such as banning credit card deposits, requiring affordability checks, and an end to in-game betting, to better protect vulnerable populations from the risks of gambling addiction.

The takeaway

The surge in sports betting and the ease of access through mobile apps and in-game betting have created a public health crisis, with young people increasingly falling victim to gambling addiction. This highlights the need for stronger regulations and protections to prevent further harm to individuals, families, and communities.