Internet and Sports Gambling: A “Secret” Addiction No More

In 2018, the United States Supreme Court, in Murphy vs. NCAA, held that sports gambling was legal in all of the United States. By 2019, many states had added sports gambling accessible by cell phone, computer and tablets, thus becoming one of the country’s largest gambling revenue producing sources. With it came the compulsive gambler. Then the whole world seemed to stop with the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. But the world of the compulsive gambler simply moved on to other forms of seeking “action” - via the internet. By the time sports resumed, a new breed of addicted gamblers was anxiously waiting. now ready, willing and extremely more able to utilize electronic devices as their preferred gambling format. This program will explore not only Gambling Disorder, but also the connection between gambling and the more well -known forms of impairment and why lawyers are at higher risk to develop problems. This problem has only been exacerbated by the stress, anxiety and isolation caused by COVID-19. The results are startling.