As we know, betting is a very controversial topic that can cause long-term addictions. But, how harmful are these betting apps to younger adults like our very own Eastmont High School student? The short answer? Very.
Betting apps are becoming more popular year by year. Not only are they becoming more popular, but they are also becoming more dangerous. This is because they are highly accessible to young adults and adolescents. The main danger of betting apps, when catered to young audiences, includes creating a process addiction. A process addiction is an addiction that causes a compulsion to continually engage in an activity or behavior even though it creates significant negative consequences. So, why is this a problem? If these betting apps continue to be popular and accessible among young adults, they can cause truly everlasting effects.
Betting apps are just as accessible as any other app on your phone. Betting apps like Kalshi (The most popular betting app among Eastmont High School students) do have age restrictions. However, these age restrictions can be easily bypassed by simply lying. If the user just enters an earlier birthdate, they have full access to the app and all of the bets and transactions within. Not only is this a problem because it causes addiction and causes young people without a stable income to lose money, but it is also completely illegal for someone under 18 to gamble in Washington state. Not only are these betting apps allowing their age restrictions to be bypassed, causing lasting gambling or betting addictions, and losing youth money, but they are also allowing flat-out illegal activities.
The layout of these betting apps should also be questioned. Kalshi’s User Interface (UI) is designed to be highly colorful and bright. This look of innocence or simplicity helps the spending of money on the app feel less impactful or even attractive. The wagers and bets on Kalshi are also very appealing, especially to the young audience. On Kalshi, you can bet on virtually anything. These bets range from sports to the number of words someone says in a speech. Having such a wide variety of bets can be very harmful, as the ability to bet on anything can cause more money to be spent.
Unchecked use of these betting apps can also ultimately lead to long-term gambling addictions. This can be extremely harmful, as unstable financial situations could be a side effect of using betting apps at a young age. To truly show the dangers of betting apps, I interviewed four students at Eastmont High School. The first student I interviewed, Javin, is a constant user of Kalshi. Javin stated that he frequently spends money and places bets on Kalshi. Javin also stated, “I would 100% gamble in the future.” Javin thinks that betting apps do not cause future gambling and betting addictions. Javin confirmed the amount of money that he has spent thus far on Kalshi. This amount would be around $150 in just three months. The second student I interviewed, Peyton, who also has Kalshi, said that even though he does not have an account on Kalshi yet, he does plan to gamble or bet in the future. Peyton thinks that these betting apps can indeed cause gambling addictions in the future. Peyton also confirmed the popularity of betting apps in high school, as around 10 of his friends he knows have them. The third student I interviewed, Jeremiah, has Kalshi as well as Prize Picks. Jeremiah states that he spends money on these apps almost every day, even though he does not have a job. Jeremiah also plans to gamble in the future. In fact, he plans to go to a casino as soon as he turns 18. Jeremiah also agrees that betting apps can cause future addictions. Jeremiah stated that he has spent over $200 in a span of two weeks between the two betting apps he owns. The fourth and last student we interviewed, Susana, does not own any betting apps. She has spent no money on gambling or betting ever, but does plan to go to a casino when she turns 18. Susana also strongly believes in the idea that betting apps can cause gambling addictions as a consequence.
These firsthand accounts of betting apps in the high school setting only prove how betting apps are thriving at the expense of high schoolers’ futures and financial stability. These betting apps loose restrictions, colorful layouts, and variety of bets are creating a generation of gambling addicts. So, will you support the addiction machine? Or will you help to stop these illegal activities by encouraging your friends to delete these betting apps and tear down the illegal gambling scene in high schools? Together, we can build a better, less addicted future. A future free from betting apps in the young generation.
