Having just left an online casino AND sportsbook company... yes, the design is SPECIFICALLY to go around the responsible gambling guidelines and encourage reckless behaviour.

We had "responsible gambling" as well as spotting problem behaviour training twice a year, yet every time I pushed back on designs that clearly went against those established policies, I was met with hostility, and I became a "problem person" who got in the way of profits.

Good software engineering practices were ignored and pushed back on, just so we could "deliver faster". There were times when we had to begin implementing major features without finalised designs, without any kind of product requirements specified, and of course we were discouraged to push back on that. Contact with product people? Fuck no, don't bother them. Code documentation? Who needs it?

These companies play fast and loose with people, for profits. And regulations do fuck-all.

Casinos have operated like this for years. People who loose lots of money get flown to VIP events with free hotel, meals, concerts, and even mix with movie stars. People are employed as concierge to these gamblers, so it's not MGM calling and encouraging you to gamble, it's Beth or Stephen.

Gambling is just theft with extra steps. I'd ban all of it, including the lottery.