For the Love of the Game?
Since 2018, roughly 30 states have legalized sports betting, including 21 that allow it online. In the last 12 months, around one-in-five U.S. adults say they have personally bet money on sports in some way -- and COVID-19 drove 64% of people to spend more time and money on online gambling. So, chances are if this topic doesn’t affect you, it is affecting someone you know. The legalization of sports betting has raised concerns about gambling addictions – and if sports fans are taking their “love of the game” too far by online gambling. Dr. Phil talks with Charles, a self-admitted gambling addict, who says he hasn’t gambled in two months but fears he could again. Dr. Phil also hears from Trell, a sports gambling influencer, and Sean Green, co-host of “The Sports Gambling Podcast,” on what they claim are “pros” of sports gambling. Then, Gary says he was a compulsive gambler from age 18-40 and now advocates against sports gambling.