More young men seek help for sports betting issues

A therapist treating gambling disorders reports a shift in clients, with more young men in their 20s seeking help for sports betting. This change follows the legalization of online sports betting in Tennessee in late 2020. Previously, clients were mostly older retirees who gambled in casinos. Now, younger clients often have higher incomes and believe their sports knowledge gives them an edge. They are influenced by aggressive advertising and social pressures. The therapist notes that betting apps make it easier to gamble and harder to set limits. Clients struggle to manage their gambling due to the constant availability of betting on smartphones, complicating treatment efforts.