06 March 2026
How to Hedge the Worsening Human Costs of Online Sports Betting
#FactsMatter, the Citizens Research Council of Michigan podcast
About
With March Madness just around the corner, Guy sits down with Karley Abramson to talk about her recent report: Policy Options to Hedge the Worsening Human Costs of Online Sports Betting. Karley is the Research Council’s lead research associate for health policy.
After six years of legal online gaming and sports betting in Michigan, Guy and Karley take a step back to examine how Michigan can do a better job of preventing problem gaming.
As the paper notes: "Approximately 22 percent of all Americans have at least one sports betting account, including almost half of all men age 18 to 49."
Problem gambling behaviors have increased due to ubiquitous sports betting apps, leading to financial harm, health issues, and safety concerns.
Policymakers have options to mitigate the harm caused by gambling addiction while also respecting people’s rights to engage with sports betting as an entertainment product.
After six years of legal online gaming and sports betting in Michigan, Guy and Karley take a step back to examine how Michigan can do a better job of preventing problem gaming.
As the paper notes: "Approximately 22 percent of all Americans have at least one sports betting account, including almost half of all men age 18 to 49."
Problem gambling behaviors have increased due to ubiquitous sports betting apps, leading to financial harm, health issues, and safety concerns.
Policymakers have options to mitigate the harm caused by gambling addiction while also respecting people’s rights to engage with sports betting as an entertainment product.