Is Legal Sports Betting a Gateway to More Gambling Addictions?
Whelan interviewed by Katie Couric Media about issues highlighted with legalized gaming.
Katie Couric Media interviewed Dr. James Whelan, director of The Institute for Gambling Education and Research and The University of Memphis Gambling Clinic, an outpatient treatment center for those struggling with gambling addiction. In this interview Whelan explains why we gamble, why some people become problem gamblers, what is the responsibility of sports leagues now that sports betting is legal is so many states, the argument over whether or not gambling is considered an addiction, and why so few problem gamblers get the help they need. He also addresses the easy access to gambling on phones and the issues this brings, what is “responsible gambling?” and the nuances of differences between addictions to substances vs gambling addiction and the stigmatization of gambling.
“Expanding general awareness of gambling problems is key to the mission of our team and essential to effectively helping those who experience harms," states Whelan.
For more information on the clinic or his research, contact Whelan at jwhelan@memphis.edu.