Daily Fantasy Sports as an Emerging Public Health Concern: A Comparative Public Health Perspective of Digital...

Importance: Daily fantasy sports (DFS) have rapidly become a major component of the global gambling industry, with platforms offering users the opportunity to draft fantasy teams and compete for real monetary rewards based on real-world sports performance. This article compares India's DFS expansion with current US trends, examining regulatory environments, market dynamics, and mental health implications. Emphasis is placed on vulnerable groups, including adolescents, individuals with preexisting psychiatric conditions, and populations with socioeconomic disadvantage. The analysis explores pathways linking DFS engagement to addiction risk and related psychological harms, with attention to contextual cultural factors.

Observations: Evidence from India indicates that DFS participation can escalate involvement in additional betting activities and contribute to mental health problems such as compulsive gambling behaviors, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. These patterns offer insights for US policymakers and public health stakeholders as they respond to the rapid growth of online sports wagering. Cross-national differences in cultural attitudes, regulatory enforcement, and media integration are examined to identify strategies with potential for effective adaptation.

Conclusions: The findings underscore the need for evidence-based regulatory approaches, targeted public health interventions, and culturally tailored awareness initiatives to mitigate gambling-related harms in both countries. Recommendations are provided to guide policymakers, clinicians, and industry stakeholders in protecting vulnerable populations amid the continued expansion of DFS and online sports betting.

Prim Care Companion CNS Disord 2026;28(3):25nr04142.

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