I've been rethinking my stance on this lately. Gambling itself isn't new—it's been around forever. But here's what's changed: the newer incarnations are shaping up to be worse for society overall.

The problem isn't just the gambling itself. It's how accessible and normalized it's become. Apps, social platforms, GameFi mechanics—they're engineered to be addictive in ways traditional casinos never achieved. The friction is gone. You can place a bet in seconds, any time, anywhere.

What concerns me most is how these systems prey on younger audiences, wrapping predatory mechanics in the language of gaming and finance. There's a thin line between entertainment and exploitation, and I think we're watching that line blur in real time.

The original forms had guardrails—physical spaces, regulatory oversight, natural friction. The new versions? They're optimized for engagement and monetization, with minimal safeguards. That's the shift that worries me.