Where will the rise of online sports betting lead?Īlmost all of us know the urge that prompts us to check our phones.The surging industry dubbed “the sports gambling gold rush,” is predicted to reach a staggering $39 billion by 2033, but the negative social impacts could also be significant. While most Americans think about gambling as an in-person phenomenon, an even more enticing - and more dangerous - gambling trend has emerged over the past four years, and it’s taking in a new generation of unwitting participants.Ĭompanies such as DraftKings, BetMGM, Caesars and FanDuel, have been working to export the casino playbook to online sports betting. Of all the sounds and sights, it’s the roulette table that sucks me in as the spinning ball bounces around as onlookers like me remain breathless to see where it lands when the stakes are high. The glittering lights, rich architecture, dealers passing out cards and the clink clink clink ping of slot machines are designed to turn heads and empty wallets. It’s not hard to be drawn in by a casino room floor when visiting Las Vegas. I’ve never been much of a gambler, though I do recognize its allure and dangers.
