Researching gambling: have we learned nothing from Big Tobacco's manipulation of science?

Abstract

The global gambling industry was estimated to be worth US$711.4 Billion in 2020, with projections of its worth to reach US$876 Billion by 2026 (1). However, behind such headline grabbing statistics lies the reality of the extremely negative impacts gambling can have on physical, psychological and social functioning (2,3).Although estimates vary as to the level of gambling addiction in populations, evidence suggest thatbetween0.5–3.0%of the population areproblem gamblers,with upto four times as many people reporting subclinical problems(4). An issue of particular concern is the significant growth of the online gambling industry during the COVID-19 pandemic (5).