(Credit: Racquel Miller)
Tim Lam, a Staten Island resident, remembers his family always gambling. They played Chinese poker and mahjong whenever the family gathered together. He was never taught that gambling was a risky thing. But in 2022, gambling became a part of his daily routine when mobile sports betting was legalized in New York.
Being exposed to gambling at an early age and having the convenience of betting anytime and anywhere on his mobile device made for a bad combination for Lam. Online sports books and online casinos were quick, convenient, and addictive. Lam carried out a cycle of gambling that involved checking his bets first thing in the morning. He gambled during his Uber ride to work and at work. He was never mentally present when he hung out with loved ones because he was constantly on his phone. He ended the day placing bets before bed.
In January 2025, Lam quit gambling after realizing he was losing more money than he was winning.
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About the author(s)
Racquel Miller is a graduate student at Columbia Journalism School reporting on housing and healthcare.