Mental health professionals across California are witnessing a concerning surge in gambling addiction among teenagers and young adults, primarily attributed to the rise of prediction market platforms like Kalshi. These digital betting platforms, which allow users to wager on future events, have become increasingly accessible to younger demographics, creating new pathways to problematic gambling behaviors. Therapists report heightened anxiety, financial stress, and compulsive betting patterns among their young clients, raising urgent questions about regulatory oversight and digital responsibility in the fintech sector.

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