In the 2022 World Cup, while Argentina took home the title, there was another clear winner: the gambling industry.
Spectators around the globe wagered an estimated $35 billion, making it one of the most bet-on events in sports history.
Over the past decade, sports gambling has become more popular than ever.
Mobile apps make it easier to place bets anywhere or anytime, especially for young people in their early 20s, who make up the fastest-growing gambling demographic.
The industry's success, however, is no coincidence.
In fact, sports betting apps work just like the games you'd find in a casino.
They're strategically designed in ways that are known to keep you playing and paying — ensuring that, in the end, the house always wins.
So, what exactly are the tricks these apps use?
It's estimated that Americans lost $60 billion gambling online and in casinos in 2022 alone.
While losing might seem like a deterrent, infrequent wins are actually a key reason gambling can feel so enticing.
