The Catholic Church’s long-held view of gambling as a minor vice is now being reconsidered in light of the growing acceptance and accessibility of sports betting. An article in the US Catholic press explores the changing gambling sector, particularly highlighting the emergence of “platforms like DraftKings“.
Sports gambling in the US has seen explosive growth, with the industry expanding by over 20 percent annually in the past five years. The American Gaming Association reports a staggering increase in the total amount wagered (handle) from $6.7 billion in 2018 to $120 billion by 2023. Notably, USA Today reported that a record 67.8 million people placed bets on the Super Bowl last February.
US Catholic stated that once, the Super Bowl was a family-friendly outing filled with popcorn, hot dogs, and perhaps a beer, but has now taken on a new dimension. Today, adult fans can place bets on the game right from their seats, wagering on everything from the next base hit to the final score. Across the country, ballparks are now equipped with betting kiosks, and mobile apps make it possible to gamble anytime, anywhere.
The expansion of legalised gambling can be traced back to states choosing to capitalise on the revenue potential of lotteries, a decision that shifted gambling from the fringes of society into the mainstream. This trend culminated in the 2018 US Supreme Court decision to overturn the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, which had largely confined sports betting to Nevada. In response, 38 states and the District of Columbia have since legalised some form of sports betting, resulting in a significant new revenue stream for governments—a revenue stream that is growing rapidly and might even be fostering its own form of dependence.
Hidden costs of sportsbetting
The primary beneficiaries of this rapid expansion have been the gambling operators, both physical and digital, alongside marketing firms that have successfully normalised sports betting in the public consciousness. State and local governments have also profited from this trend, collecting significant tax revenue as sports betting becomes more widespread. But amidst this surge, one critical question remains: Who is protecting the vulnerable?
The article stated that gambling addiction, like any other addiction, can consume lives. The fallout from sports gambling doesn’t just affect the gambler; it ensnares their loved ones in a web of financial ruin and emotional pain. Research from the National Council on Problem Gambling indicates that the risk of addiction has risen by 30 percent between 2018 and 2021, with approximately 7 million Americans now grappling with problem gambling.
The Church offers limited guidance on gambling. The Catechism of the Catholic Church considers gambling a generally acceptable vice, but it warns that the “passion for gambling risks becoming an enslavement.” It further states that gambling becomes “morally unacceptable” when it deprives someone of the means to provide for themselves or others.
The troubling reality is that the dangers of gambling addiction often only become apparent once a person is already ensnared. With the proliferation of gambling opportunities across America and the availability of the internet, what was once seen as harmless fun has become a perilous experiment for many.
The widespread acceptance of sports betting has unleashed a cultural Pandora’s box, with little consideration for the personal and familial devastation that is likely to follow, according to US Catholic.
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