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Expert: US gambling addiction 'out of control' as betting booms

scienceApr 24, 2026711

A leading US policy expert warned that gambling addiction is "out of control" and urged federal and state authorities to act as betting markets boom. The expert said gambling should be regulated like alcohol or tobacco and demanded a public‑health response focused on prevention and treatment rather than punishment. They pointed to expanded legal sports wagering and easy app‑based access as drivers of rising financial harm, especially among younger and casual bettors. Regulating gambling as an addictive product would enable stricter advertising limits, tighter age and access controls, and increased funding for treatment to curb the harms.

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