NFL, Sportsbooks Face Lawsuit Over Micro-Betting Addiction
Two Pennsylvania men have sued NFL, DraftKings, FanDuel, and other sportsbooks over the harm from gambling addiction and in-game micro-bets.
Nationwide, sports betting is now legal in 39 states, and in Arkansas people wagered an average of nearly $1.8 million on it every day last year. But a growing body of evidence shows sports betting is harmful. Internet sportsbooks and online gambling are especially destructive.
One problem is that many sportsbooks accept micro-bet wagers — such as bets placed on the next play, next pitch, or next possession during a ballgame.
Micro-bets are designed to be fast-paced and repetitive, both of which are linked to problem gambling and addiction.
Pennsylvania plaintiffs Christopher Sage and Terry Thompson allege in their lawsuit that they developed gambling addictions after DraftKings and FanDuel began offering micro-bets.
The sportsbooks also allegedly assigned each man a personal “VIP Host” who enticed them to continue gambling.
We have written again and again about the dangers of internet sports betting.
Twenty-year-old males account for approximately 40% of calls to gambling addiction hotlines, and upwards of 20 million men are in debt or have been in debt as a result of sports betting.
There is strong evidence linking sports betting to increases in binge drinking as well as physical and mental harm.
Researchers also say legal sports betting is tied to sharp increases in violent crime.
Arkansans need to understand that sports betting isn’t harmless entertainment — it’s predatory, and it is expanding in our state.
In February, the Arkansas Racing Commission approved sports betting license applications by FanDuel and DraftKings. DraftKings reportedly will partner with Southland Casino in West Memphis, and FanDuel will partner with Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs.
As this lawsuit highlights, sports betting fosters addiction, and it is linked to serious problems that hurt individuals, families, and whole communities.
As powerful corporations try to make gambling part of everyday life, it’s important for Arkansas to protect its citizens and families from predatory gambling.
Otherwise gambling addiction will simply continue wrecking lives and hurting families in our state.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.
Fewer Pastors Considering Quitting Ministry, Research Shows
Pastoral burnout in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic caused many to consider quitting ministry, but recent research shows that may be changing.
According to Barna’s latest data, 24% of Protestant senior pastors say they have seriously considered quitting full-time ministry in the past year. While that number is still concerning, it’s down considerably from peak levels a few years ago, when two out of every five pastors said they had considered quitting.
Barna notes that the pandemic years hit pastors hard. Church closures, public health mandates, changes in ministry models, and political division within congregations created a perfect storm for many ministers. Pastors nationwide often faced exhaustion and conflict with very little support.
The good news is that pressure appears to be easing in many cases. Arkansas’ churches can learn from this data. Believers and their families should pray for their pastors and find practical ways to encourage them. Supporting our pastors isn’t just a nice thing to do—it’s essential for healthy churches.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.