Hundreds of Medical Experts Call for Action on Gambling Addiction

Summary

More than 300 international health and addiction experts have published a joint article in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions calling for urgent, evidence-based action on gambling-related harm. Led by Professor Zsolt Demetrovics of Flinders University, the group warns that the rapid spread of sports betting and online gambling has driven up rates of gambling disorder worldwide and that policy, prevention and treatment must be prioritised.

The experts stress the need to focus on vulnerable and minority groups, including young people, and propose developing a global framework for prevention that can be tailored to local contexts while remaining grounded in strong evidence.

Key Points

Over 300 health and addiction experts authored a joint appeal published in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions.
The group links increased availability of sports betting and online gambling to rising rates of gambling disorder globally.
Priority should be given to vulnerable and minority populations — especially young people — who face higher risk of gambling harm.
Authors call for an evidence-based, prioritised research agenda to guide policymakers, regulators and funders.
They propose a universally informed prevention framework adaptable to specific geographies and groups, coupled with tailored treatment programmes.

Context and Relevance

This initiative arrives as gambling becomes ever more accessible via mobile and online platforms. For healthcare providers, regulators and policy teams, the paper signals a coordinated, global push to treat gambling harm as a public-health priority rather than a niche issue. It dovetails with wider trends: increased scrutiny of gambling advertising, policy shifts in multiple countries, and more funding calls for research into behavioural addictions.

Why should I read this?

Because this isn’t just another press release. A big team of experts has mapped out why gambling harm is rising and what actually needs doing — so if you care about public health, policy, or protecting young and vulnerable people, their evidence-led checklist saves you time and tells you where to focus next.