How to Protect Families and Youth From the Hidden Cost of Gambling
For generations, gambling was confined to physical casinos, racetracks, or local betting shops. Today, the rapid rise of smartphones and online betting platforms has transformed a long-standing social problem into a constant, easily accessible threat, especially for young people. With a few taps on a screen, anyone can place a bet at any hour of the day or night, dramatically increasing the risk of addiction, financial loss, and serious harm to individuals and families.
Moral Foundations and the Deception of Getting Something for Nothing
Across the United States and around the world, religious and community leaders have long warned against the harms of gambling. Leaders of many churches, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since the era of Brigham Young (see footnote 1), have consistently spoken out against all forms of gambling, including government-sponsored lotteries. Church leaders have encouraged members to join with fellow citizens in opposing the legalization and state sponsorship of gambling.
At its core, gambling is driven by the desire to get something for nothing. That mindset undermines the core virtues of honest work, thrift, and personal responsibility, leading people away from principles of love and service toward selfishness. Those caught in its trap soon discover the deception behind the promise of easy money. Instead of gaining something of value, people frequently lose substantial savings, their personal honor, and the trust of family and friends. In the grip of addiction, individuals often gamble away money needed for basic family necessities, and some become so desperate to cover mounting debts that they turn to theft and dishonesty, sacrificing their own good name.
Why Online Gambling Is Different
Digital betting platforms have removed almost every traditional barrier that once slowed people down before placing a wager. Online access makes gambling:
- More convenient and immediate. Bets can be placed in seconds from a bedroom, classroom, or workplace.
- Easier to hide. Unlike walking into a casino, smartphone betting can be concealed from spouses, parents, and friends.
- Designed to hook younger users. Gamified apps and constant digital notifications are tailored to capture the attention of teenagers and young adults.
- Harder to escape. Because betting opportunities are available 24 hours a day, users never truly step away from the table.
Research shows that modern gambling harms are fueled by several overlapping factors, including aggressive advertising by betting companies, the constant presence of odds in sports broadcasts, growing debt and borrowing, and the secrecy and shame that prevent people from asking for help.. Betting operators intentionally design advertisements and websites to keep users hooked, often portraying winners as admired, successful, and happy while hiding the reality of widespread loss.
How Gambling Addiction Develops
Addiction specialists note that gambling addiction shares many of the same behavioral and psychological patterns as substance abuse. Common warning signs include:
- An overwhelming, persistent urge to gamble.
- Anxiety, irritability, or restlessness when trying to cut back or stop.
- Needing to wager larger amounts of money to feel the same excitement.
- Chasing losses by continuing to gamble in hopes of winning back lost money.
- Hiding betting habits and financial statements from loved ones.
As the addiction deepens, the fallout spreads outward. Individuals often accumulate crushing debt, borrow money under false pretenses, sell family possessions, engage in theft or other dishonest behavior, and severely damage relationships with their spouse, children, and friends.
The Human Cost
Online gambling is far from harmless entertainment, and its toll can be measured in ruined lives and tragic losses. Over the past decade, more than 220 Canadians struggling with gambling problems died by suicide. In Australia, a young man began gambling online at age 18, placed more than 10,000 bets over four years, lost more than $40,000, and ultimately took his own life. Stories like these highlight a troubling reality within the industry: many online operators use data tracking to identify customers who exhibit clear signs of problem gambling, yet continue targeting those vulnerable users with promotional offers and incentives to keep betting.
Public Policy and Proposed Solutions
Around the world, governments are beginning to confront the fallout of unrestricted digital betting. According to international policy reports, Brazil recently moved to ban sports betting and online casinos due to growing concerns over social harm. Countries such as Sri Lanka and Armenia have strengthened regulatory oversight, while the Netherlands has launched public education campaigns to help young people recognize gambling risks and seek help earlier. Still, meaningful reform faces steep resistance because gambling generates massive profits for betting operators, media networks, and major sports organizations.
Protecting families and communities requires a two-part approach:
- Treatment and Community Support
- Accessible counseling, therapy, and psychiatric treatment when needed.
- Peer-led self-help and recovery support groups.
- Early awareness and intervention by families, friends, schools, and local churches.
- Stronger Guardrails and Regulation
- Mandatory deposit limits and automatic lockout periods.
- Clear spending and time tracking tools, along with alerts when betting exceeds safe thresholds.
- Strict restrictions on gambling advertisements, especially during sports broadcasts.
- Stronger age verification and protections for minors.
- A dedicated mental health and gambling recovery fund financed by gambling companies.
What Truly Protects Society
Online gambling promises quick wealth, excitement, and belonging, yet it cannot deliver any of the things people are truly seeking. Left unchecked, it drains household resources, erodes moral character, and leaves broken families in its wake. While sensible laws and industry guardrails can help reduce harm, the strongest long-term protection remains rooted in vibrant families, supportive faith communities, honest work, and meaningful personal relationships.
Footnotes:
1. See “Questions and Answers,” Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, Nov. 1985.