Why making Americans bet with cash could protect people from gambling problems

By adding friction and making it possible for people around problem gamblers to see what they’re up to, a cash requirement could protect them from big losses.

By: Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: September 24, 2026

Words: 1,487

Last Updated: 3 weeks, 3 days ago

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By Jay L. Zagorsky, Boston University

Gambling has exploded in the United States. American casinos and sportsbooks earned US$79 billion in 2025, up nearly 20% from the $66.5 billion just two years earlier. That doesn’t include the enormous sums earned by prediction market companies, which are technically not considered gambling but instead help forecast future events.

Regrettably, but not unexpectedly, the widespread ability to gamble is also causing major scandals.

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