Sports betting cards have created a new gateway to problem gambling
Fast Company
Gift cards let people gamble with money they don't realize is real cash, raising the risk of problem gambling.Summary
Although sports betting became legal nationwide in 2018, Americans have wagered over $500 billion, and the rise of point‑of‑sale gift cards makes betting more accessible by allowing users to gamble with money they don’t perceive as real cash. Experts warn that this convenience reduces awareness of loss and encourages riskier, overspending behavior, especially since many apps block direct credit‑card gambling but permit purchases of gift cards with credit cards, circumventing safeguards. Consequently, the ease of using gift cards contributes to increased problem gambling.
(Source：Fast Company)