ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — Ten percent of young men in the U.S. show behavior that indicates a gambling problem, compared to 3% of the general population, a new study says.
The Fairleigh Dickinson University survey comes as the National Council on Problem Gambling examined every U.S. state’s gambling laws, finding that customer protection against developing or worsening gambling problems varies widely and could be improved everywhere.
“Gambling is generally marketed as entertainment, and for most gamblers, it’s just that,” said Dan Cassino, a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson, and the executive director of the survey, which was released Thursday. “But there’s always some chance of gambling turning into problem behaviors, and online gambling is proving to be much more dangerous than other kinds.”
He said the risks “are closely related to online betting on sports and online slot machines.”
Arnie Wexler, a well-known advocate for people with gambling problems and the former head of New Jersey’s Council on Compulsive Gambling, said young people and their parents constantly contact him for help. He was not involved in the survey.