by Michelle Crouch and Charlotte Ledger, North Carolina Health News
March 20, 2026
By Michelle Crouch
Now that sports betting is just a tap away on your smartphone, experts say it can be easier for gambling to spiral out of control. Google searches for “gambling addiction” and “problem gambling” have increased since North Carolina legalized sports betting in 2024.
If you’re worried that someone you care about may have a gambling problem, approach them with empathy, not judgment, said Elliott Rapaport, founder and CEO of Birches Health, a digital health platform that specializes in gambling addiction.
Start the conversation with something simple like, “Is everything OK?” Rapaport…