In the US, though, what certainly appears to be the case is that mobile sports betting is gradually becoming a problem across multiple states and, even more concerning, the increasing links that this has to alcoholism and how this has the ability to spiral out of control, with no organizations put in place to help those who are most at risk.

There is a significant danger however, that when sports fans see athletes placing bets, (or being suspected of placing bets), it does little to deter them from doing it themselves - especially when some sports stars become the face of gambling brands as well. Indeed, since 2018, NFL revenue stands at $132 million as a direct result of gambling related sponsorships - a staggering increase on the previous figure of $35 million. It is the same for the NBA, MLB and NHL.

In many instances, it is being claimed that the legalization of sports betting has saved numerous franchises, because it has made games interesting again for viewers, allowing them to place bets - this interest in turn, having led to lucrative sponsorship deals with the sports betting operators. During live broadcasts, odds are openly discussed among analysts and commentators, aware of their audience and the possible ways in which what they are saying could be interpreted by young adults, especially under the influence of alcohol.

Ultimately, in the vast majority of countries in Europe, a professional athlete is prohibited from betting on his or her own sport. However, there have been numerous cases. Most recently, Italian soccer player Sandro Tonali transferred from AC Milan (Italy) to Newcastle United (England) for approximately $80 million. However, merely a few weeks into his new employment, he was found guilty of breaching betting regulations in Italy, though the English Premier League decided to uphold the rules and agreed to the nine-month suspension from playing football.

Meanwhile, sports betting has become a major problem in society, especially in the UK, over the last two decades and has been the cause of many related issues, such as antisocial behavior, fraud, alcoholism, bankruptcy and homelessness.

In England, charities are set up to help members of society with gambling addiction, which have served as a big help to those who have been seriously affected by it.

What is clear is that sports betting is swiftly becoming a problem across the US, and, frighteningly, it is likely to be only the beginning, with nothing currently seemingly to be put in place to help prevent addiction.

Despite this, Bill Miller, President of the American Gaming Association, has been openly vocal regarding his doubts about gambling addiction in the US, though based on the figures that are being generated, it does leave his statement open to interpretation: “I don’t believe that there is an addiction to mobile betting any more than there is an addiction to utilization of your phone for any other reason.”