Morgan State, University of Maryland School of Medicine provide resources for those with gambling addictions
BALTIMORE - Experts say millions of bets have been placed online since mobile betting was launched in Maryland last week.
The convenience and excitement of betting from the comfort of your own home could create some serious gambling addictions, according to experts.
Two Baltimore institutions are so concerned about the possible issue they are teaming up to help.
Morgan State University and the University of Maryland School of Medicine are joining forces to track the trends of gambling addiction and trying to curb the issue.
Morgan State University's Center for Data Analytics and Sports Gaming Research and the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Maryland Center of Excellence on Problem Gambling dedicated resources to study the potential risks and provide resources to people who may need information.
Because people are pulling out their phones and placing bets, the problem has no borders.
Since online sports betting became official in Maryland on Nov. 23, Betmaryland.com says more than 16 million wagers have been placed online.
However, with all the excitement, experts say there is a dark side.
That's because it is so much easier to place bets. It is now just the tap of a button.
At Morgan State. they are using resources within the school of social work to identify red flags in affected communities, like irritability and detachment from loved ones.
"We see that mobile phones are a platform in the hands of young people with little experience and not knowing the consequence of my gambling," said Dr. Ali Emdad, Assistant Dean of Morgan State University School of Business. "People start borrowing, using the credit cards, using whatever they own."
In 2020, former NBA player, Kendrick Perkins said his children accumulated a $16,000 credit card bill on the popular online game Fortnite.
During a panel event at Morgan State University on Friday, experts said teenagers are getting hooked even though they're not old enough to legally gamble.
"We see that technology is an enabler," said Dr, Emdad. "We see that mobile phones are a platform in the hands of young people with little experience and not knowing the consequence of my gambling."
Dr. Emdad said online gambling companies are doing their part to reach people with problems and there are popular campaigns that urge people to call 800-Gambler if they need help.
But Dr. Emdad said sometimes nothing can stop someone's determination from placing online bets.
"Even companies themselves have resources - they publicly announce resources for detecting signs of problems, but human nature is something that you can't sometimes control," said Dr. Emdad.