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 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