New Study Warns of Potential Economic and Social Harms from iGaming

Since PASPA’s repeal in 2018, sports betting has proliferated across the United States, now thriving in nearly 40 states. This surge in popularity has prompted lawmakers in various regions to consider extending gambling legislation to encompass online casinos. However, the newly established coalition, comprising advocates, employees, unions, and businesses staunchly against online gambling legalization, has recently highlighted substantial concerns through a freshly released report.

The study, commissioned by The Innovation Group for the National Association Against iGaming (NAAiG), presents a sobering view of iGaming’s impact. It predicts significant job losses, a decline in state tax revenues, and detrimental effects on the land-based gaming sector. Of alarming concern is the finding that online gamblers are eight times more likely to grapple with compulsive gambling. Shannon McCracken, board member of NAAiG, emphasizes the erosion of community fabric caused by iGaming, undermining family-sustaining jobs and exacerbating financial distress among gamblers.

Jason Gumer, EVP and general counsel at Monarch Casino and Resort, further warns of the heightened risk online gambling poses to vulnerable individuals. According to Gumer, the expansion of iGaming lacks substantial benefits for states while amplifying the hazards of problem gambling and financial

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Jason Gumer, EVP and general counsel at Monarch Casino and Resort, further warns of the heightened risk online gambling poses to vulnerable individuals. According to Gumer, the expansion of iGaming lacks substantial benefits for states while amplifying the hazards of problem gambling and financial instability. His sentiments underscore the importance of NAAiG’s efforts to rally stakeholders against the detrimental spread of online gambling.

The report’s economic predictions are equally bleak, anticipating significant job cuts in states adopting online gambling. Highlighted examples include New York and Illinois, expected to face job losses of 4,921 and 4,733, respectively, by 2029. The negative economic ripple effects extend to anticipated GDP reductions, especially in states like Ohio, Maryland, Indiana, and Colorado. These projections suggest a broader economic downturn triggered by the legalization of online gambling, affecting not just the gaming sector but overall state economies.

Moreover, the study draws attention to the considerable damage iGaming inflicts beyond economics. It reveals a disturbing trend where 81% of those affected by problem gambling engage in iGaming, a stark contrast to traditional gambling environments. This is compounded by a worrying 14% decline in household investments in regions where online gambling is legal. Such statistics highlight the societal cost

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