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ER visits for gambling disorders doubled after expanded online gambling market

164 points · 157 comments · geox

  1. tt24 · · focus · HN ↗
    Let me guess - because some people are unable to consume this form of entertainment responsibly, we have to make it illegal for everyone?

    Makes sense. While we’re at it let’s kick the war on drugs back into high gear, reinstate prohibition, and make other higher risk behavior illegal.

    1. superb_dev · · focus · HN ↗
      We don’t have to fully outlaw gambling or other forms of high risk entertainment, but we absolutely should be outlawing the pervasive advertising these companies are doing. You can’t enjoy sports these days without dodging tons of ads for betting platforms
      1. tt24 · · focus · HN ↗
        I don’t see why advertisement for gambling is any more offensive than advertisement for any other form of entertainment
        1. ImJamal · · focus · HN ↗
          Watching a TV show or a movie that you saw a commercial for isn't going to bankrupt you and cause you to lose your house.
          1. tt24 · · focus · HN ↗
            Should we ban advertisement for skydiving and other such high risk behavior?
            1. ImJamal · · focus · HN ↗
              I haven't looked much into the Canadian levels, but I assume they are similar to the US. Some stats might not be quite right, but...

              Something like .15% of the US population skydive a year. Almost none of them die.

              I've seen estimates that over 5% of the US population gamble at a "problem" level and about 0.5% to 1% are outright addicted. About 20% of those addicted have a suicide attempt.

              Americans who skydive in the US will be about the same number of Americans who attempt suicide due to gambling issues. Skydiving is quite safe so the death rate is so minimal.

              The scale between the two is just so different.

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