The Nanny State Dilemma

By

Denitsa Lyutskanova

Denitsa Lyutskanova Chief Editor

Denitsa Lyutskanova is the Head of Content at iGaming.com and a passionate advocate for Safer Gambling. With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, she has been with the company since 2011, working across 20+ markets. Denitsa leads a growing team of 30+ talented content writers and editors, driving impactful content strategies while promoting responsible gaming practices.

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· Chief Editor Last Updated: June 13, 2025

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In online gambling, few topics spark more debate than how to balance player protection and personal freedom. At the center of the conversation is what is known as the “nanny state” dilemma.

The “nanny state” dilemma refers to the tension between protecting players through tough regulation and respecting personal responsibility.

On the one hand, some argue that too much regulation – such as mandatory limits – crosses into nanny state territory and would drive players away from regulated markets.

On the other hand, those calling for tougher regulation argue that proactive intervention is necessary to prevent addiction, especially given how accessible online gambling has become.

The above video is the seventh short video from a recent interview between our CEO, Professor Dr. Andreas Ditsche, and behavioral expert Professor Dr. Mark Griffiths, where the latter weighs in on this topic.

In the full interview, Prof. Dr. Ditsche and Prof. Dr. Griffiths discuss various other topics related to gambling behavior, from how players develop addiction to how gambling ads trigger problem gamblers and more.

You can check out the full video, Gambling Addiction Explained: How Triggers, Tools & Psychology Interact, on the iGamingCare YouTube Channel.