Online gambling has quietly spread across Kashmir, leaving a trail of broken families, mounting debt and emotional ruin. The arrival of easily accessible betting platforms on smartphones has given rise to a dangerous trend, especially among the younger generation. Drawn in by the allure of fast money, many individuals are soon trapped in cycles of loss, desperation, and denial. Initial wins offer an illusion of control and success, but the tide turns quickly. Some young people, having experienced early victories, have borrowed large sums from friends and relatives, only to lose it all within days. When the reality of these losses hits, some disappear in panic, forcing their families into emotional and financial turmoil. In one case reported in the media, a young man who had won Rs. 10,000 early on began borrowing money on the promise of high returns. By the time he lost everything, the amount owed had grown into several lakhs. His disappearance triggered fear and shame in his family, who eventually found him and had to take on the burden of his unpaid debts. Another young man shared that his early success of Rs. 10 lakh misled him into thinking he had discovered a shortcut to wealth. But gambling, by its very nature, devoured more than just money. It ruined his business, shattered trust, and left his family in distress. These incidents reflect a growing crisis, one that continues to unfold quietly behind closed doors. Mental health professionals are seeing rising numbers of individuals whose lives have unraveled due to online gambling. Psychologists and experts have called the current spread of gambling a plague, urging communities to recognise its harm and extend help to those trapped by it. They also highlighted how some online games mimic gambling through loot boxes and microtransactions, desensitising youth and drawing them into dangerous habits without them even realising it. Some adolescents are already spending large amounts of money on these mechanics, unaware of the damage being done. The current wave of gambling growth is powered by technology and relentless marketing. Social media, celebrity endorsements, and in-app promotions have made gambling appear normal, even fashionable. As more people participate, the risks multiply. When left unchecked, gambling reshapes not just individual lives but entire communities. Regulation remains a challenge, especially with offshore and unlicensed platforms operating beyond national control. Experts argue that effective solutions must include better oversight, cross-border cooperation, and public health approaches. Surveillance, education and counselling services must be strengthened. Authorities must also confront the silence that surrounds gambling by restricting advertising and putting safeguards in place to protect those most vulnerable. The World Health Organization too has acknowledged the growing threat of gambling on public well-being. It calls for joint action across sectors to prevent gambling from derailing health goals and development progress. What is needed now is clear awareness, early intervention and systems of care that can help those already affected begin to heal. Without urgent and collective effort, the quiet crisis in Kashmir and elsewhere will only deepen.
Dangerous Trend
