“As popular as sports betting is amongst millions of Americans, the reality is that gambling expansion across the nation has introduced massive risk into our society,” Brianne Doura-Schawohl of the Campaign for Fairer Gambling told US Bets.

Gambling policy debates across America in recent years have been dominated by advocates for unfettered proliferation. Consequently, sports betting has been legalized in jurisdictions across our country without a full accounting of its considerable costs and consequences. Since legalization, helpline numbers across the nation have skyrocketed. Several states are pleading for more resources while nine states haven’t yet addressed gambling harm.

With rapid expansion comes accountability. It’s only fair for this thriving sector to be responsible for its own wake. This might actually be the most appropriate usage ever of the term ‘cost of doing business.’

Unfortunately, it has become evident from the gambling sector’s predictable, shortsighted objection to the GRIT Act that policymakers will have to ensure all costs are covered. We couldn’t imagine a more appropriate revenue stream for the industry to cover its costs than the existing tax on sports betting.

The gambling sector can no longer reasonably expect to evade external responsibility. The GRIT Act is our best chance to save lots of lives by doing what’s responsible, fair, and inevitable. The only ‘responsible’ position here is for the industry to do more, not less.