Advocacy in Action

A bill introduced into Congress in May 2026 would fund a federal study into gambling addiction.While so much is already known about gambling addiction and the highly addictive nature of online gambling products, some lawmakers believe more research can help.Representatives Blake Moore, a Utah Republican, and Dan Goldman, a New York Democrat, introduced the Gambling Disorder Health Study Act.The bi

Another national poll shows that many millions of Americans are skeptical of state-sanctioned sports betting.The survey, conducted by Overton Insights, found more registered voters oppose legalized sports wagering in their home states than support it.That comes as traditional sports betting is more accessible than ever, with 39 states currently allowing it, including 30 that permit online wagering

Emotional contagion involving gambling addiction can change the atmosphere of an entire household or family and cause harm. One gambling addiction typically harms five others.Someone with gambling issues may quickly shift through excitement, irritability, anxiety, secrecy, guilt, and hopelessness. Loved ones might feel these emotions too, growing anxious about which version of the person will appe

Group therapy can be an effective treatment option for gambling addiction, especially when it combines cognitive behavioral therapy, peer support, accountability, and practical coping skills.Dr. Samuel C. Peter, a clinical psychologist in addiction treatment from North Carolina, said group psychotherapy is not simply individual therapy with multiple people present.“Doing group psychotherapy is not

Urge surfing is a tool that can teach people how to manage harmful cravings, including gambling. This simple technique can help people pause before acting, creating space between the urge and the behavior.The core idea: treat a gambling urge like a wave. It rises, peaks, and passes. Notice the craving, stay with it, and avoid immediate reaction.Dr. Farah Jindani, a former problem gambling therapis

Yes, a FIFA World Cup bracket can be gambling if participants pay an entry fee for the chance to win money or another prize.A free bracket contest is usually different because participants are not risking money to enter.In general, gambling involves risking money or something else of value on an uncertain outcome for the chance to win money, a prize, or something else of value. Sports betting is a

Secrecy is often the clearest warning sign that your dad might have a gambling problem, says Sam Crish, a father and a person in recovery from a gambling addiction.“Being secretive, such as the phone going off or ringing, and your dad walking away into another room,” says the 62-year-old Crish, a former sheriff from Ohio.“There might be small things that you don’t notice, but if you start paying a

Betting on random sports is not automatically a sign of a gambling problem. But it can be a red flag.In 2026, Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby announced he was treating his gambling addiction. According to a lawsuit involving the NCAA, Sorsby said he placed 10,000 bets, many on obscure tennis matches, Romanian soccer, Turkish basketball, and even the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.Does this

In early 2025, I began working full-time on GamblingHarm.org as an independent source of gambling news. I wanted to focus on consumer protection, player safety, and problem gambling.It’s been a pleasure publishing approximately 400 articles since the website began.I’m seeking support to continue my work bringing independent journalism to this space.GamblingHarm.org has been self-funded to date, wi

Polymarket’s U.S.-facing platform plans parlay-style wagers, which it is calling a “Combinatoric Athletic Outcome Contract” or “CAOC,” according to a CFTC filing on Wednesday, May 20.As the prediction market platform continues its long-delayed U.S. rollout, new parlay-style wagering will help it compete with rival Kalshi, the leading player in the nascent sector.Kalshi users reportedly have lost m

A new bill called the GAME Act seeks to ban what it says are social media sports gambling ads targeting minors.The sports betting industry often argues that it does not market to minors, yet algorithms often surface content to minors.U.S. Sens. Katie Britt, a Republican from Alabama, and Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, introduced the Gaming Advertisement to Minors Enforcement Act

The World Series of Poker Main Event returns to ESPN this summer for the first time since 2021. Anyone watching the tournaments must know the truth behind what they’re seeing.Poker can be an interesting and enjoyable spectator game, but it’s best to know the reality of what’s on your TV or mobile device screen.This guide explains what ESPN viewers should understand before watching the 2026 WSOP Ma

The stakes are escalating in the bitter fight over U.S. online sports betting.Kalshi, a federally regulated prediction market that states and tribal governments allege is operating as an illegal sports betting app, has invested $2 million in what appears to be a new public relations campaign focused on addiction.The company announced a partnership with the gambling industry-supported National Coun

Brian Christopher Misfud, one of the most popular slot influencers on YouTube, has been sued in California federal court.The class action lawsuit filed in late August 2025 accuses him of promoting illegal online casino gambling. As of May 2026, the case was still pending in U.S. federal court.Christopher, who previously branded his content as Brian Gambles before a YouTube suspension, has not comm

An offshore casino or sportsbook site is an online gambling platform that operates from and is licensed or registered in a jurisdiction other than the player’s residence.For U.S. users, an offshore casino is a gambling site not licensed by a U.S. state, but still serving Americans.A site may claim a license from Curaçao, Anjouan, Malta, Kahnawake, Vanuatu, or elsewhere. However, this does not guar

A low-wage casino worker alleges in a federal lawsuit that her employer stole a $76,000 tip she received from a high-stakes player.Tajia Mackyeon, who for nearly a decade served drinks at MGM National Harbor in Maryland, claims in the lawsuit that a gambler gave her an enormous tip during a good run of cards.However, she claims, the casino illegally confiscated the tip and returned it to the bacca

Gambling apps, such as sportsbooks and casinos, are designed to be addictive. Some people who lose more than they intended consider a bank chargeback for online gambling.A chargeback, also known as a charge dispute, is used for instances of fraud or unauthorized payments. It cannot be used to reverse or recover online gambling losses.Most banks will decline to issue a refund for an online gambling

Sam Crish served 30 years in law enforcement, including eight as a sheriff in northwest Ohio. He says a severe gambling addiction to slots and blackjack at a Toledo casino was the driving force behind a devastating downfall.In an interview with GamblingHarm.org in May 2026, Crish detailed how addiction cost him nearly everything, ending in a nearly 11-year prison sentence and a $606,000 restitutio

The Kalshi vs Polymarket question is important for consumers concerned about the risks associated with betting. Using either platform can cause financial losses and addiction.These so-called prediction markets are pushing the envelope on online gambling in the U.S. and beyond, and many consumers and families don’t understand the hazards.They have essentially turned the sports, news, elections, and

Polymarket is gambling and not a legit investment tool because you bet money to try to win more. On average, the “market” has to take from one trader to pay another.Because it’s peer-to-peer and zero-sum, most users, especially Polymarket sports bettors, will lose over time once you factor in fees on winning trades and the payment of any taxes owed.Trading volume on Polymarket is also inflated, ac