Sports betting apps are a way for someone to gamble conveniently with the use of their phone. Over the past few years, sports betting apps such as DraftKings, Bet365, Fanatics Sports Book, and BetMGM have grown to be extremely popular. As of now, sports betting apps are legalized in 38 states, Nebraska is not one of those states. There are many debates about the legalization of sports betting and if sports betting apps should be legalized. Here are some of the pros and cons of sports gambling apps and what makes them different from regular gambling.
What makes Sports betting apps so likeable is their convenience and accessibility. With these apps, you can place a bet from your couch instead of having to travel to a casino. You also have a variety of options to choose from and can bet on a variety of sports. You can also bet on a live sporting event while it’s happening instead of having to place your bets beforehand. Sports betting apps have advanced security that prevent your personal information being compromised so you are able to gamble without the concern of your data being stolen. They also provide jobs to people as they require employees so getting rid of these apps could cost a lot of people their jobs.
However, Sports betting apps do have a lot of risk as well. They may make gambling easier, but it’s very easy for the excitement of gambling to become an addiction. This addiction to the thrill of gambling can lead to huge income losses. Gambling can feel like a game sometimes, except unlike a game, you are actually losing the money. Sometimes the user forgets this until it is too late and they have lost a lot of money. The easier it is to gamble, the easier it is to lose money. Up to 76% of those seeking gambling treatment have also experienced depression. Sports betting apps may be more convenient for betting money, but they are also more convenient when it comes to losing money and an easy path towards depression.
Sports betting apps are also known for their marketing techniques towards teenagers. With social media, it’s very easy for these companies to advertise their apps to younger audiences. The reason they do this is because younger brains are more vulnerable to gambling’s rewards. Sure the legal age for gambling is 21 in the United States, however, what makes it easier for teenagers to gamble is that they can easily lie about their age opposed to an actual casino where you have to present your ID to someone. As a result of this, gambling has become a common thing among the younger generation compared to past generations when they were teenagers.
Sports betting apps may sound like a convenient idea that can provide jobs, but in reality, do they do more harm than good? The cons heavily outweigh the benefits as addiction especially in younger teens and adults can lead to huge income losses as well as depression. Even if they are banned in some states, it’s still easy to access them with actions such as changing your location with a VPN in order to gain access to these apps. Banning them may do some good, but it’s more important to teach children about how the risks of gambling are greater than the rewards.
