Gambling addiction is rising and the SAFE Bet Act aims to address it

Sports betting has grown rapidly since 2018 and the article reports rising rates of gambling addiction and youth involvement; the SAFE Bet Act was introduced to set federal standards for online sports betting but stalled in the House.

April brings a surge of major sporting events and increased attention on sports betting. Since the Supreme Court decision in 2018, legal sports wagering has expanded beyond Nevada to many states and to mobile apps. Observers and some researchers report rising rates of gambling-related harms, especially among young men. A federal bill called the SAFE Bet Act was introduced to set new standards for online sports betting, but its progress is uncertain. Key facts: - The article reports legal sports bets rose from under $5 billion before 2018 to about $150 billion within six years. - More than 20 percent of Americans are reported to have at least one online betting account, and nearly half of men aged 18–49 have accounts, according to the piece. - The SAFE Bet Act was introduced to regulate online sports betting at the federal level, including measures such as advertising limits, affordability checks, and a study of public health impacts; the bill stalled in the U.S. House and its future is unclear. - The article notes major online operators have spent significant sums on advertising and state lobbying as the market has expanded. Summary: The reported rapid expansion of online sports betting has coincided with increases in gambling-related harm and growing participation by younger people. The SAFE Bet Act was proposed to introduce federal standards but has stalled in the House, and next steps are undetermined at this time.