VASAM Opposes Legislation Legalizing iGaming

On February 23, the Virginia Society of Addiction Medicine (VASAM) sent a letter to members of the Virginia General Assembly in opposition to HB 161/SB 118. This legislation would legalize internet gaming (iGaming) in Virginia.

In the letter, VASAM expressed its view that introducing iGaming in Virginia poses more risks than benefits. This comes as problematic gambling and gambling addiction are on the rise nationwide. VASAM noted that online gaming relies on aggressive algorithms designed to keep people’s attention. These attempts to maintain people’s constant attention feed into problematic gambling and gambling addiction. Further, states who legalized online gaming encounter several public health and financial challenges. For example, VASAM cited research indicating that residents of legalized internet gaming states face increased bankruptcies, higher credit card debt, and lower overall access to credit. Additionally, states that expand online gaming face a predictable increase in problematic gambling behavior, which is linked to higher rates of intimate partner violence. As such, VASAM urged state lawmakers to consider the societal downsides of online gaming before opening the door to iGaming in Virginia.

Read the letter here.