A recent webinar organized by the Kindbridge Research Institute featured discussions on gambling disorders and the particular vulnerability of young men. Jonathan D. Cohen, the American Institute for Boys and Men Policy Lead, and Dr. Timothy Fong, a clinical professor at UCLA, shared their insights on the topic, highlighting how the current online gambling landscape poses unique risks for this demographic.
According to Dr. Daniel Kaufmann from Kindbridge, the nature of gambling has undergone a significant transformation. He explained that traditional methods to combat gambling addictions, such as avoiding casinos, are outdated. Now, anyone can engage in gambling right from their phones. "The phone is the casino now," Kaufmann remarked, emphasizing the ease of access that online betting apps have created.
Cohen elaborated on the implications of this shift, suggesting that the legalizing of gambling has not merely transferred individuals from illegal markets to legal ones. Instead, he indicated it has attracted new gamblers, particularly young men who might not have engaged in betting under previous circumstances.
Cohen pointed out that young men often exhibit risk-seeking behaviors and a lack of prudence, especially concerning finances. With the proliferation of gambling apps, these factors converge to create an alarming situation. "Young men are already inclined to risky behavior… you’ve handed them free-for-all gambling apps that are designed to make all those situations worse," he said.
Dr. Fong noted that many young men are turning to gambling as a form of escapism to deal with mental health struggles. He stated, "They’re using gambling as a way of feeling better… it’s hard out there." He has exclusively treated young men dealing with gambling addictions, highlighting the gender disparity in sports betting addiction. "The last 100 folks I’ve seen about sports betting, it’s all 18-to-40-year-old men," he added.
Both experts acknowledged the impact of societal pressures and the normalization of gambling among young men, particularly in fraternity cultures and on social media platforms. Cohen remarked that young men feel an obligation to participate in sports betting, as it has become a common social activity. He cautioned, "If you’re on Instagram or TikTok, especially once the algorithm figures out you’re a man and you like sports… you can very quickly… go from watching an NBA highlight to getting fed a bunch of Kalshi influencers."
Cohen also criticized the lack of awareness surrounding the gambling aspects embedded in various platforms, such as Roblox. He suggested that society is moving out of ignorance about these issues but is running out of excuses for this ignorance.
In terms of solutions, Dr. Fong proposed that reframing the conversation around gambling could help. He urged conversations to focus on the financial damage gambling can cause rather than the thrill it provides. Fong encouraged young people to understand how gambling apps work and to reassess their spending on these platforms. "Reframe it as a pure entertainment, as an expenditure," he advised.
Fong mentioned that lessons from regulations surrounding alcohol and tobacco could guide effective measures for gambling. He called for greater government intervention to manage gambling's accessibility. "Governments need to do better… Just like they did with seatbelts and smoking on airplanes," he concluded, stressing the need for action to mitigate the growing risks associated with gambling.
