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State of Play’s TL;DR
- CNN’s Chasing Life examined mobile gambling risks with UCLA gambling studies co-director Dr. Timothy Fong.
- Fong identified young people ages 12 to 25 as a particularly concerning group for gambling harm.
- An NCAA survey cited by CNN found that 36% of Division I men’s basketball respondents reported betting-related social media abuse.
CNN’s Chasing Life examined how gambling through smartphones is reshaping exposure to betting and financial risk, with UCLA gambling studies co-director Dr. Timothy Fong warning about harm among young people.
In a discussion with CNN’s Coy Wire, Fong addressed sports betting, prediction markets, and financial apps, alongside the difficulty of recognizing gambling disorder. The segment also explored consequences beyond the person placing a wager, including abuse directed at athletes.
Mobile gambling and a hidden addiction
Fong said gambling disorders can’t be identified through smell, taste, or a urine drug test.
“Gambling disorder is the hidden addiction.”
Fong estimated that 2% to 4% of the general population may develop a gambling disorder, with another 4% to 5% at risk. He singled out ages 12 to 25 as a critical period for growth and development, expressing particular concern about young men.
To illustrate the financial harm he encounters, Fong described a 14-year-old who downloaded a prediction market that his mother believed was a video game. According to Fong, the teenager spent $40,000 over six months.
Fong said regulated gambling has grown significantly, while growth in unregulated gambling is even greater and largely unknown. CNN’s discussion also covered day trading and financial apps as part of the broader landscape of phone-based financial risk.
CNN disclosed that it has a partnership with prediction market Kalshi and uses its data to cover major events. CNN employees are not permitted to trade on prediction platforms.
Betting-related abuse and advice for families
The segment described how bettors who lose money can target athletes through social media.
For families, the discussion emphasized setting clear expectations about money, betting, and phone use, and understanding what children are doing on their phones.
CNN also highlighted counseling and telehealth resources for people concerned about their gambling.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Based on reporting by CNN.
