Allure of Gambling

Nada Nour, staff writer

While many people might think gambling rise in popularity happened in the early 20^th century, it's been around for centuries before that. In early China, simple dice rolls would entertain as a form of gambling. In mid 17^th century India, people would bet on simple everyday tasks in hope for tangible compensation. But gambling has come a long way since then. Poker, blackjack and roulette are only a few of the many popular gambling games. 

Firstly, there's always a form of gambling in every sport–from football to golf. The high stakes bets have been placed since before the start of professional teams, even as part of the little leagues. But as organized sports grew, so did the scale of betting. Today, entire industries are built around sports gambling, with people betting not only on who wins or loses, but on detailed statistics such as player performances.  

Modern gambling itself has grown much more than dark back rooms, and bright red casino floors. In places such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City, multi-billion-dollar resorts have been built to attract millions with bright lights, luxurious feels and iconic shows, not to mention the unlimited gaming options. Each year casinos generate billions of dollars and overall help local economies through tourism and job creation. However, gambling isn’t only restricted to physical locations anymore.  

The rise of technology has completely transformed the industry. Online platforms and mobile games have allowed anyone to participate in gambling from the comfort of their own home. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act, countless states have legalized sports betting. Companies like DraftKings and FanDuel, through their advertisements on major sports events and professional teams, have become recognizable to almost everyone in public.  

Kalshi, one of the biggest growing gambling companies, has taken the market by a storm. It’s the first  Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) regulated exchange in the U.S. dedicated to trading on the outcome of real-world events, such as economics, 

 politics and sports. With the rise of numerous companies like Kalshi, what used to be considered a “niche activity”, is now commonly accepted and even encouraged.                                     

“I could list at least five people I know personally who participate in sports gambling, and that’s a little scary to think about,” said senior Suhani Kapur.  

Despite its rise in popularity, modern gambling also raises some concerns. With easy access through smartphones and computers, it makes it so much simpler to go through with impulsive bets. Many people have warned that with the fast-paced nature of modern-day gambling addiction is more likely to happen than ever. Specifically, gambling has caused a lot of strains on personal relationships and mental health around the U.S.. The World Health Organization has released a study displaying the direct relationship between financial problems, legal and work problems, poor mental and general health to compulsive gambling. Now, governments are continuing to debate whether the economic benefits outweigh the effects on consumers. 

“I’ve seen the rise of gambling affect numerous people around me, specifically sports gambling as it’s become so incredibly normalized,” said senior Lena Zienelabdien. 

 From ancient dice rolling in China, to billion-dollar online industries, gambling has evolved dramatically. What began as simply wagers in hope for some compensation has grown into a major industry rooted in sports, entertainment and art. As it continues to expand and grow, society argues whether the harm is worth the benefits.