Online Gambling Is Spiralling Out of Control Without Proper Regulations
Online gambling has become a deeply embedded part of our national culture in recent years. Sports betting, in particular, has surged in popularity among young adults, playing a major role in the rapid expansion of online gambling.
Take North Carolina as an example—sports betting has only been legal for less than a year, so data on how university students engage with it remains limited. However, I’d estimate that over half of all UNC students gamble, with participation rates even higher among young men.
This didn’t happen by chance. The widespread acceptance of gambling is the direct result of aggressive marketing strategies by gambling companies. Their goal? To normalise betting—particularly among young people.
The Power of Marketing in Normalising Gambling
The push to make gambling mainstream extends far beyond TV commercial breaks. Gambling companies have spent millions on advertisements featuring high-profile celebrities. Sports betting apps have locked in partnerships with major TV networks, sporting teams, and entire leagues.
Even social media has become saturated with gambling promotions. Leading online casino Stake has its ads splashed across viral memes. In today’s world, if you watch any live sport, you’re bound to be exposed to gambling advertising.
But it doesn’t stop there. Sports betting apps collect vast amounts of user data to build complex profiles, quickly identifying signs of addiction—and worse, figuring out exactly how to manipulate those users into spending more.
The Rise of Gambling on Streaming Platforms and Video Games
Beyond traditional advertising, online gambling has infiltrated other digital spaces. Streaming platforms, particularly those popular with young audiences, have become a key battleground.
Many online personalities—some with audiences largely under 21—have accepted lucrative sponsorship deals from gambling companies. Some have even moved to more gambling-friendly platforms like Kick, which is backed by Stake.
And it’s not just streamers—gambling mechanics have been embedded into the gaming industry itself. Many video games now include “loot boxes”—randomised in-game rewards purchased with real money. These mechanics mirror gambling and have been found to encourage problem gambling behaviours in both adults and children. In fact, loot boxes alone are projected to generate around $20 billion for the gaming industry this year.
Online Gambling Hits Young People Harder
Digital gambling disproportionately affects younger people. The aim of online casinos is to consume as much of your attention as possible, keeping users hooked and returning—even at the cost of their physical and mental health.
It’s designed to be addictive, and the convenience of online access only worsens the issue. Unlike physical casinos, which require effort to visit, online gambling is always just a few clicks away.
This is why gambling addiction helplines across the country have reported a surge in calls, with a significant portion coming from younger demographics. Experts warn that without stricter regulations, we are heading towards a full-scale crisis.
A Call for Smarter Gambling Laws
To be clear, gambling itself is not inherently bad. In fact, I support legalisation on a nationwide scale—but only with strict, well-defined regulations.
For gambling to be safer, it must have the same restrictions as alcohol or tobacco. It should require in-person participation, rather than being instantly accessible 24/7. More importantly, there need to be better safeguards, spending limits, and support systems in place for those at risk of addiction.
Right now, however, the online gambling industry specifically targets young people. It exploits university students—who often face financial insecurity—by promising massive wins, despite the near-impossible odds.
As online gambling continues to expand, this issue will only escalate. A lack of proper regulations, combined with worsening economic inequality and declining financial mobility for younger generations, is a recipe for disaster.
If we fail to act now, we risk creating an entire generation trapped in a cycle of gambling addiction.
