FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — What once required a trip to a casino is now available with a few taps on a smartphone, as Americans increasingly place sports bets anytime and anywhere.<\/p>\n
Americans legally wagered $165 billion on sports last year, according to an investigation by ABC News and its owned stations. The surge has made betting a routine part of watching sports for many fans, particularly young men.<\/p>\n
“Waking up in the morning. Checking when games are on. You know, what can I spend some money on? What can I win some money on?” said Ryan Marini, a Fresno State student who says he gambles for up to three hours a day.<\/p>\n
Marini, 19, said betting has already put him in debt. A business major, he estimated he has spent between $5,000 and $10,000 gambling and told reporters he has lost more than he has won.<\/p>\n
“More people are being exposed to gambling than ever before. It’s becoming a kind of a normal part of being a spectator of sports on TV,” said Dr. Nasir Naqvi of Columbia University.<\/p>\n
Naqvi described gambling as a “looming public health crisis,” largely affecting young men.<\/p>\n
RELATED: ‘Public health crisis’: Experts weigh the stakes of youth gambling in America<\/a><\/p>\n For Marini, the attraction is hard to resist.<\/p>\n “What is it that keeps you coming back?” Action News asked.<\/p>\n “Just the thrill of it, I’d say. Just being able to watch a game and potentially make some money off it is definitely what keeps me going,” Marini said.<\/p>\n When asked whether he believes he has an addiction, Marini was candid.<\/p>\n “I do, yeah. I do,” he said.<\/p>\n “Why do you say that?” Acton News asked.<\/p>\n “I know that either win or lose, I’m still enjoying it,” Marini said. “If I lose, I’m still not too upset. I’m still ready to do it again.”<\/p>\n Researchers warn that early exposure can increase the risk of serious problems later.<\/p>\n While other students here on Fresno State’s campus might not have a gambling addiction now, a growing body of research shows that gambling from a young age is associated with a higher likelihood of a gambling addiction later in life.<\/p>\n Naqvi said certain groups face higher risks.<\/p>\n “People with co-occurring psychiatric disorders, co-occurring substance use disorders, people who have high levels of impulsivity, people who have family histories of addictive behaviors and gambling disorders — they are perhaps more vulnerable to developing these problems,” he said.<\/p>\n Lawmakers across the country are scrambling to catch up with the rapid growth of the industry.<\/p>\n In Sacramento, proposed legislation would prohibit betting apps from advertising or “providing online gambling or predictive market wagering to minors.”<\/p>\n Joe Maloney of the Sports Betting Alliance trade group said such activity is already prohibited.<\/p>\n “It is a violation of the terms of service, and we are not here to engage in a conversation between parent or child, but we do communicate very, very clearly (that) this is a product for adults, and adults only,” Maloney said.<\/p>\n Experts told ABC News it can be difficult for popular betting apps such as FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM to verify users’ ages.<\/p>\n With March Madness underway, Americans are expected to legally bet more than $3.3 billion on the men’s and women’s tournaments.<\/p>\n Marini said he will continue to place wagers, even as his relationship with sports has changed.<\/p>\n “It’s gotten harder for me to watch the games without gambling on [them]. I can’t enjoy just watching the game for fun as much anymore,” he said.<\/p>\n Online sports gambling is legal in 32 states and Washington, D.C., but California is not one of them.<\/p>\n Even so, experts said many teenagers are still finding ways to place bets, likely using offshore, unregulated platforms.<\/p>\n Some even access legal sports books using a VPN.<\/p>\n Legal online sports betting platforms maintain stringent controls meant to prevent underaged users from accessing their site, using mandatory age verification tools as well as data like bank account information and social security numbers.<\/p>\n For news updates, follow Gabe Ferris on Facebook<\/a>, Twitter<\/a> and Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n Copyright \u00a9 2026 KFSN-TV. All Rights Reserved.<\/p>\n