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As online gambling continues to surge across America, experts warn of catastrophic financial losses potentially reaching $1 trillion in the coming years. The concerning trajectory has prompted industry watchdogs to sound the alarm on the growing crisis.

Derek Webb, who leads the Campaign for Fairer Gambling, issued a stark warning against relying on “responsible gambling” theories that place the burden of protection solely on individuals.

The widespread accessibility of gambling, now legal in over 80% of countries worldwide, has raised serious public health concerns. Recent studies reveal alarming statistics about addiction rates, with approximately 16% of adult online gamblers and 26% of adolescent users developing gambling disorders. Sports betting shows similar troubling patterns, affecting 9% of adults and 16% of adolescents who participate.

The World Health Organization projects the legal online gambling market will reach $700 billion globally by 2028. The U.S. market alone is expected to see losses of $1 trillion by the same year, while illicit betting markets already account for estimated annual losses of $1.7 trillion, according to a 2021 UN report.

Recent data from Pew Research indicates that nearly one-fifth of American adults engaged in sports betting last year, with young men showing increasing participation rates. This trend coincides with rapid legalization across the country, as 38 states and Washington D.C. have approved sports betting following a landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision.

In response to these developments, WHO officials emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive public health policies to address gambling’s harmful effects and addictive nature. Currently, 36 states have legalized sports gambling, highlighting the industry’s expanding reach across America.