Because runaway gambling is such an important ethical topic, I want to begin this post by linking to a well-written article by Ryan Hockensmith for ESPN (February 9, 2022). If you, or someone you know, has a gambling problem, you might want to begin your quest for healing by reading the feature.
The writer explores the topic of sports betting in his piece, “Inside the life of a gambling helpline worker,” where he details the life’s work of gambling counselor Kaitlin Brown. She is a hero, a 14-year addiction counselor who does her best, via a hotline for the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling.
As I write this post, it is Super Bowl time, though the topic has become “Evergreen.” If you’re reading this during the Stanley Cup playoffs, or the World Series or the Preakness, chances are that people are placing bets who have no business betting. They are addicted, and in deep financial and psychological trouble. Just for reference though, in the next few days, more than $8 billion will be spent on the so-called “Big Game,” by well over 30 million people.
Rushing into the Void
In 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a ban on legalized sports gambling. Our airways are jammed with sportsbook commercials as online betting companies (usually through cell phone apps) vie for gambling dollars. It takes but seconds – literally – to place a bet. As long as there is a viable credit card on the other side of that bet, no one associated with a gambling operation much cares.
There is a “gambling personality” that has been well identified. There is also a flip-side to the personality, according to the ESPN article:
“Compared with other addictions, studies have shown that problem gamblers are much more likely to attempt suicide or have suicidal thoughts.”
Studies have shown, not surprisingly, that many of the “young guns” who commit themselves to serious online gambling also dabble in day trading and crypto-currencies. Alcohol and drug addictions, more often than not, are also a part of the behavioral cluster.
I have personally known such people and their winnings are the positive high they might get from a run at the casino, a drug habit or any other addiction. The bigger problem is that most people who have a serious gambling problem, won’t declare their gambling is out of control.
Gamblers are often reticent to seek help, let alone to go to a “step program” such as Gamblers Anonymous. Clearly, it is easier to cover up a gambling problem. There are no “DUIs” given out for gambling, nor drug addiction centers. Nevertheless, gambling destroys lives and destroys families.
Again, according to the ESPN article:
“The National Council for Problem Gambling cites studies showing that about 2.2% of American adults — nearly 6 million people — are susceptible to problem gambling, and that number doubles for people who regularly bet.”
Calls into gambling addiction centers have skyrocketed since online gambling apps have flourished and professional sports are mostly silent largely with the exception of the NFL. However, the NFL is far from naïve. The expenditures of online gambling platforms more than overshadow the contributions to a feel-good fund. According to AC Nielsen in just the first quarter of 2021, about $155 million was spent on TV spot advertising. Total advertising across all platforms will easily approach a billion in the not-too-distant future.
Why wouldn’t the NFL spend a little money on a feel-good campaign?
No More Hearings
We are told that it is not possible to “protect people from themselves.” But we can. Is it an ethical imperative to reach out more to the problem gamblers? Most would argue “no,” but I disagree. Out-of-control, online gambling is not a victimless crime. Like alcoholism or drug abuse, it does destroy families. It does destroy lives.
The government is more than happy to tax the media and gambling advertisers, credit card companies, professional sports teams and the banking system. Why then, it there pin-drop silence when it is suggested that more checks and balances should be placed on gamblers who are seemingly unable to help themselves?
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