Forget drugs, IPL betting is young India's new deadly addiction
The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a money-making spectacle for many. But the desire to cash in on this gold rush is pushing a growing number of young Indians into addiction. Data and mental health experts suggest that betting on the IPL is emerging as a serious addiction among the Indian youth.Google search trends indicate a sharp spike in interest for terms like 'IPL addiction' and 'online betting' during every IPL season. Broader searches such as 'gambling addiction' have been steadily rising since 2015, mirroring the rise of sports-based online betting apps.advertisementSearch queries such as 'causes of gambling addiction,' 'how to quit gambling addiction,' 'is gambling an addiction,' 'online gambling addiction,' and 'gambling addiction therapy' have also surged, according to Google Trends data. Terms like 'treatment for gambling addiction,' 'how to get rid of gambling addiction,' and 'rehab for gambling addiction' have similarly seen sharp increases.Rising concern
There remains widespread ambiguity about the legality of sports-based fantasy apps. Critics argue that such platforms promote gambling addiction, especially among the youth.While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Supreme Court recently expressed concern over rampant betting during IPL matches. 'In the name of IPL, a lot of people are betting and indulging in gambling. This is a serious issue,' the bench remarked last week.Gambling laws in India vary from state to state, and there is no central legislation that clearly governs online betting. The legal status of these platforms often hinges on whether the game is considered one of skill or chance.advertisementIn the past, the Supreme Court ruled that games like rummy and fantasy sports are games of skill and hence do not fall under traditional gambling laws.Toll of online bettingThe impact of online betting is significant – and growing. News reports frequently detail stories of teenagers and young adults suffering heavy financial losses due to compulsive betting.In one incident from March this year, a tech professional in Bengaluru lost around Rs 1.5 crore to betting. His wife later died by suicide after lenders he had borrowed from to place bets began harassing the family.As a result, more individuals are seeking help from psychiatrists and counsellors. Delhi-based mental health therapist Arouba Kabir says she sees three to five patients every month addicted to IPL or other sports betting, especially during cricket seasons and major tournaments.'This number often spikes during the IPL season, because of easy access to apps and peer pressure,' she tells India Today.'It (sports-based addiction) gives an illusion of control and easy money, but psychologically, it operates much like substance addiction—it hijacks the brain's reward system. The cycle of anticipation, reward, and crash makes it very hard to quit without professional help,' adds Kabir, founder of Enso Wellness.advertisementAlthough there is no publicly available data on the prevalence of online gambling in India, the American Psychiatric Association estimates that between 0.4 and 4 per cent of adults in the United States develop a gambling disorder in their lifetime.Some common signs of sports betting addiction include obsessive score-checking, impaired concentration, declining work performance, financial distress (loans, asset sales, hidden debts, even theft), and secrecy or dishonesty with family members.Must Watch
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