Gambling Access Under Fire: Church and Experts Warn of Smartphone Risks

The debate over the constant accessibility of gambling via mobile devices has reached a new level of intensity. During the General Conference last weekend, the leadership of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a clear signal against the ongoing digitalization of the betting market. The smartphone, according to the central message, has fundamentally changed how people wager, and not for the better. Previously, participating in gambling required a conscious decision and a physical trip to a casino, racetrack, or lottery kiosk. Today, this process happens in secret.

This development poses immense dangers to the social fabric, according to church officials. The transformation from an occasional activity to a continuous and private availability has led to a literal explosion in the gambling sector. The warning is not only directed at the faithful but addresses a societal phenomenon fueled by the ubiquity of apps and mobile browsers. The allure of online betting is stronger than ever because the barrier to entry has been massively lowered by the simple click on a screen.

Numbers and facts

The concern is backed by recent data from the University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll. In a representative survey of 923 parents with children aged 14-18, 63 percent reported seeing or hearing ads for online sports betting or casinos in the past year. Especially alarming is the assessment of parental perception: 1 in 6 parents admitted they probably wouldn’t know if their child was betting online.

Although most U.S. states have set the legal minimum age for online betting at 21, experts say there are significant loopholes. More than half of parents do not even know the legal minimum age in their own state. Furthermore, two-thirds of teenagers have their own bank accounts or debit cards, which significantly facilitates registration on platforms without parental consent. Only two percent of parents currently believe their child is using online betting platforms, which experts see as a dangerous underestimation of the situation.

Background

Since a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 2018, more than half of U.S. states have legalized some form of online gambling. This has triggered a wave of marketing that often specifically targets young audiences. The offerings use mechanisms familiar to teenagers from video games, such as bonus points and reward systems. This makes it harder for young people to recognize the difference between playing for fun and playing for money.

President D. Todd Christofferson found clear words for this situation:

"The smartphone has transformed gambling, from an occasional activity requiring a trip to a casino, racetrack or lottery kiosk into an activity available continuously, privately, and almost anywhere. This has led to an explosion in gambling." - D. Todd Christofferson, President at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Expert Sarah Clark from the University of Michigan emphasizes that while teens might have difficulty entering a physical casino unnoticed, they face few digital barriers. Advertising, which often features popular athletes and entertainers, conveys feelings of excitement and social credit, making the target group particularly susceptible.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, the situation is more strictly regulated by the Interstate Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) than in many U.S. states. Anyone wishing to play legally online in Germany must register with providers on the official whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). This regulation serves to protect against addiction and protect minors. Key pillars are the cross-provider deposit limit of 1,000 euros per month and the stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines.

In addition, the central exclusion system OASIS and the supervision system LUGAS are mandatory. LUGAS monitors, among other things, compliance with deposit limits and prevents players from being active with multiple providers at the same time. For German users, this means a much higher level of protection, as identity verification (KYC process) is significantly stricter than the "loopholes" criticized in the U.S. Nevertheless, the danger of private availability on the smartphone remains a topic here, which the GGL counters with strict advertising guidelines.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Licensed German providers must meet the highest standards in age verification and early detection of gambling addiction. The criticism from the U.S. shows that technological barriers alone are not enough if social control fails. GGL casinos are required to provide panic buttons and clear information on risks. Those who violate these requirements risk losing their license. This clearly distinguishes the regulated German market from illegal offshore offerings (MGA or Curacao), where player protection often only exists on paper. The industry faces the challenge in 2026 of maintaining the balance between an attractive offer and strict youth protection to meet GGL requirements.