A recent New York Times article, “Growing Up in the Midwest, Zach Everett Saw Gambling as Little More Than a Fun Diversion”, offers a powerful and deeply relevant look at how sports betting has transformed in the digital era and why traditional treatment approaches are no longer enough.

Read the article here (subscription required).

The stories and statistics in this piece echo exactly what we see every day: gambling addiction is evolving. Focusing on a younger audience, faster-paced, more isolated, and driven almost entirely by technology. At Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, our work continues to adapt to meet these shifting needs through online services, on-demand programs, virtual reality sessions, technology-enhanced prevention, blocking software support, and more.

Below are key takeaways from the article and what Nicasa is doing to respond.

The Rise of a Younger, Tech-Driven Gambling Addiction

The article highlights a trend that aligns with what clinicians across the country have observed: “Experts say that problem gamblers are skewing younger.”

As sports betting apps explode in popularity, adolescents, young adults, and young professionals are becoming the fastest-growing group of people seeking help. Traditional supports, like calling a hotline or attending a Gamblers Anonymous meeting in a church, feel out of sync with the realities of online gambling.

One recovering gambler in the article described hotlines as: “the most analog solution to a digital problem.”

This is exactly why Nicasa has expanded far beyond traditional counseling. Our team offers virtual, remote, flexible, and technology-driven supports that meet people where they are, not where treatment models used to be.

Sportsbooks in Your Pocket: A New Form of Risk

The article also illustrates how online apps create constant temptation. For Zach Everett, the subject of the story: “The apps made it easy… he stayed up late gambling on sports he knew little about… his wife was unaware.”

This type of hidden, 24/7 access is uniquely dangerous and increasingly common.

At Nicasa, we help clients build digital boundaries, including:

• Guidance on gambling blocking software
• Coaching on reducing triggers and digital exposure
• Tech-supported craving and relapse-prevention tools
• Virtual reality sessions that simulate real-world pressures in a safe environment

This work is essential for a generation whose gambling challenges take place entirely on a screen.

Representation Matters: Young People Need Spaces Where They Belong

One of the article’s most striking insights is that young gamblers entering recovery often do not see themselves in older, casino-focused support groups.

The article also quotes that seeing peers who understand online gambling is what finally helped him: “They don’t even know what a DraftKings account is,” and “Recognizing yourself in the people around you is a crucial element to effective recovery.”

At Nicasa, we take this to heart. We offer age-inclusive, culturally relevant, tech-informed counseling, including online and peer support groups that connect individuals who share modern gambling experiences, such as:

• Sports betting apps
• E-sports wagering
• Daily fantasy sports
• Micro-bets and prop bets
• Online casinos

The future of treatment must reflect the reality of gambling today. That’s what we’re trying to build.

Nicasa Is Built for the Modern Gambling Landscape

The New York Times article makes one thing clear: gambling today is fundamentally different from gambling even 10 years ago. It’s mobile. It’s algorithm-driven. It’s socially isolating.  It is affecting a younger, digitally-native population.

At Nicasa Behavioral Health Services, we are committed to meeting this moment.

Our gambling treatment programs provide evidence-based care enhanced by technology, ensuring that no one has to face addiction alone. Especially in a world where the pressure to gamble is always just one tap away.

If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling concerns, support is available. Contact Nicasa Behavioral Health Services today to learn more.