Lancet Report Calls for Gambling Regulation

A new report from The Lancet Public Health Commission highlights gambling as a significant global public health threat, exacerbated by the rise of digital and mobile platforms. The commission, consisting of leading experts, estimates that approximately 450 million people experience gambling-related harms, with 80 million suffering from gambling disorders. They emphasize that the sophisticated marketing strategies and ease of access to gambling via mobile devices contribute to increased engagement and risk, particularly among vulnerable populations such as adolescents. The report calls for stronger regulatory measures to mitigate the negative impacts of commercial gambling, which is now prevalent in over 80% of countries. Notably, Australia ranks as the highest in per capita gambling losses, reflecting a growing crisis that includes family breakdown, domestic violence, and mental health issues. The commission warns that without immediate action, gambling-related harms will become more entrenched worldwide.