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Addiction specialists are warning that mobile sports betting can quickly become a problem as NFL action returns, pointing to the speed and constant access of betting apps as key risk factors for players.
According to the American Gaming Association, Americans legally wagered nearly $167 billion on sports in 2025, up 11% from the year before. The AOL report says those totals are arriving alongside growing concern about the wider effects of online betting several years after the 2018 Supreme Court ruling that opened the door for state legalization.
Research and experts point to growing harm concerns
The report cites the American Institute for Boys and Men as saying bankruptcies are up 25% to 30% three to four years after online betting is legalized in a state.
Dr. Christopher Welsh, a problem-gambling specialist, said mobile apps have changed betting behavior by making in-game wagering far easier and more frequent. “The combination of being able to do it so quickly, in real time, 24/7 … just makes it so much more addicting,” Welsh said.
He also said common warning signs for families can include chasing losses, hiding gambling activity, betting more than intended, and repeatedly trying but failing to stop.
FanDuel says it uses account monitoring and player-set limits
The story says FanDuel monitors accounts for signs of potential harm, including overnight betting, unusually long sessions, sudden increases in activity, and chasing losses. FanDuel executive Corey Fox said the company can impose deposit limits, temporarily block a customer from betting, or remove a player from the platform.
Customers can also set their own deposit and time limits or voluntarily exclude themselves, according to the report.
Welsh said those tools are still worth having, but described their limits plainly: “At least it’s something.” He added that many safeguards still depend on the user and can sometimes be overridden.
What players should take from this
For players, the clearest takeaway is that mobile betting’s convenience can also make risky habits harder to spot early. The report also notes that legal gambling generates significant state tax revenue — including more than $1.6 billion in Maryland gambling revenue in 2025 — even as concerns about problem play continue to grow.
Readers who need support were directed in the source report to problem-gambling helplines and self-exclusion tools in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
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Source: As reported by Hayley Milon.
