An essay in The Atlantic argues that legalizing sports gambling was a mistake. The author acknowledges the incredible financial cost. It produced $10 billion in revenue last year, which is another way of saying that it led to $10 billion in losses for millions of gamblers. Young men in particular are hurt by sports gambling more than any other demographic. So far, 38 states have legalized it, including Kentucky just last year. Some might argue that state sponsored sports gambling is simply entertainment. But its an industry that feeds on addiction, produces no new product, or creates widespread wealth. In other words, it’s a drain on healthy economic growth. And the effects of normalized state-sponsored gambling is becoming evident in the lives of the countless people who’ve been hurt.