AI's Double-Edged Sword: Research Highlights Ethical Risks in Gambling Industry.

With the 2025 World Series of Poker set to begin on May 27 in Las Vegas, a broader debate surrounding artificial intelligence and its ethical implications in gambling is heating up. As the global gambling industry edges toward an expected valuation of over $876 billion by 2026, experts are warning that the use of AI, if left unchecked, could pose serious risks to vulnerable individuals.

Dr. Nasim Binesh, an assistant professor at the University of Florida’s College of Health & Human Performance, is leading efforts to understand these risks. Her recent study, co-authored with Dr. Kasra Ghaharian from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, was published in the International Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Administration and sheds light on how AI systems can influence player behavior—sometimes to harmful ends.

“AI technologies designed to maximize profits might identify and target players susceptible to gambling addiction,” Binesh explained. “This creates a pathway to deeper financial and psychological harm.”

While AI has expanded opportunities within the gambling industry—from traditional casinos to online platforms and sports betting—its rapid integration comes with few guardrails. Although frameworks like the U.S. Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and the European Union AI Act exist, they are not tailored specifically to gambling. A more targeted response began to take shape only recently, with the International Gaming Standards Association’s Ethical AI Standards Committee announcing in March that it will develop best practices for AI use in gaming.

Binesh emphasizes that comprehensive regulation is not just a safeguard—it’s essential. Her study proposes several ethical guidelines, including the use of independent auditors to evaluate AI compliance, developer training focused on protecting at-risk groups, and improved transparency about h

“AI can also be a tool for good,” Binesh noted, “helping to detect addiction early, identify cheating, and prevent fraud.” However, without clear policies in place, such protective measures may be underutilized or misdirected.

Looking ahead, Binesh plans to further her research by using AI to analyze consumer behavior and social media for early warning signs of gambling-related harm.

“The absence of regulation may actually hinder innovation,” she warned. “If ethical missteps continue, they could provoke backlash and stricter controls, ultimately deterring the responsible innovators the industry needs to thrive.”

Source:https://phys.org/news/2025-05-ai-gambling-explores-ethical.html

This is non-financial/medical advice and made using AI so could be wrong.