Gambling

New York City is set to welcome three new casino developments as U.S. gambling activity accelerates and states increasingly embrace gaming as a source of tax revenue and economic growth. The planned projects reflect shifting public attitudes toward gambling, driven by the normalization of sports betting and digital wagering. For New York, the expansion represents a strategic effort to capture billions in gaming spend that has historically flowed to neighboring states. Supporters cite job creation and public revenue, while critics warn of social costs.

Bhutan stands out in the global leisure economy for what it has chosen not to build. While many nations court casinos to boost tourism and tax revenue, Bhutan has maintained a firm prohibition on casino gambling. Rooted in cultural values, constitutional principles, and a development philosophy centered on Gross National Happiness, the ban reflects a deliberate policy choice rather than regulatory inertia.

Mobile gaming has evolved into a Rs. 107 billion global industry by quietly borrowing one of the most powerful playbooks in entertainment: casino game mechanics. What began as simple casual games has transformed into a sophisticated ecosystem driven by probability design, reward loops, and behavioral economics. Core elements such as variable rewards, virtual currencies, and time-based incentives—long perfected in casinos—now underpin mainstream mobile titles. This convergence has redefined monetization, user engagement, and lifetime value metrics.

Escapism has emerged as one of the most powerful psychological drivers behind problem gambling, pushing individuals toward betting platforms as a way to avoid stress, anxiety, or personal challenges. Experts note that gambling offers a temporary emotional refuge—an illusion of control, excitement, and detachment from reality. However, this relief is short-lived, often giving way to deeper financial and emotional difficulties. As access to betting becomes widespread, the link between escapist tendencies and gambling harm is becoming more prominent.

A court has declined to dismiss key gambling-related claims against the founder of RBLXWild, ruling that Robux—the virtual currency used within the Roblox ecosystem—can plausibly be treated as having real-world value. The decision represents a meaningful development in the legal treatment of digital assets, particularly those used by minors, and underscores growing judicial scrutiny of online gaming platforms that resemble gambling operations.

Apple Pay is rapidly becoming a preferred payment method across the UK’s regulated online casino sector, reflecting a broader shift toward speed, security, and responsible digital finance in gambling. In 2025, operators are increasingly integrating Apple Pay to meet player demand for instant deposits, biometric authentication, and reduced exposure of financial data. The rise of mobile-first gambling, coupled with tighter compliance expectations, has positioned Apple Pay as a strategic tool rather than a convenience feature.

Ohio is witnessing a sharp rise in gambling-related hardships as expanded access to betting—especially sports wagering—drives more residents to seek professional help. Mental-health counselors, addiction specialists, and state hotlines report a significant increase in cases involving financial distress, relationship breakdowns, and mental-health crises tied to compulsive gambling. As communities grapple with the emotional, social, and economic fallout, policymakers and public-health experts warn that the state’s rapid gambling expansion has outpaced safeguards.

Poland is advancing a landmark reform that seeks to classify and regulate loot boxes—digital “mystery boxes” found in video games—as a potential form of gambling. The proposal, currently under parliamentary assessment, reflects growing concern over the monetization mechanics used by gaming companies and the impact these systems may have on minors. Lawmakers aim to establish clearer distinctions between entertainment-based game features and gambling-like elements that involve chance, spending and psychological triggers.

A global coalition of public health experts, policymakers and addiction specialists convened in Istanbul to address the accelerating rise of behavioral addictions driven by digital platforms, online gambling and gaming. Organized by the Turkish Green Crescent (Yeşilay) and the International Green Crescent Federation in collaboration with the World Health Organization’s Türkiye Country Office, the three-day meeting brings together representatives from 25 nations.

President Trump has signalled that he is considering a major change to U.S. taxation by potentially eliminating federal taxes on gambling winnings, part of a broader strategy to reduce what his administration calls burdens on everyday earners. The proposal, still in a conceptual stage, builds on recent reforms that removed taxes on tips, Social Security benefits and overtime. Under current law, gambling earnings above certain thresholds trigger tax reporting and withholding, with net income subject to federal tax.