A Commentary on "Feasibility of Minimally Invasive Scoliosis Surgery in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Exceeding 80° of Curve Magnitude".

Gambling is a regulated and highly accessible activity worldwide. In Australia, 65% of adults gamble annually, while 46% of adults gamble annually globally [,]. Online betting, predominately race and sports betting, also referred to as wagering, has substantially altered betting participation. In 2024, 33% of Australian adults reported gambling online, a substantial increase from 8% in 2017, and 11% in 2021 []. Monthly sports bettors experience moderate to severe gambling harms at a higher rate (23%) than the broader population of regular gambling customers (8%) []. The experience of severe harms can contribute to developing gambling disorder, a behavioral addiction within the (), which is characterized by persistent, recurrent maladaptive patterns of gambling behavior that is associated with significant distress and impairment []. Gambling disorder impacts quality of life and impairs functioning, with harms experienced across multiple life domains, including relationship difficulties, health problems, psychological distress, financial problems, work or study issues, and criminal activity []. These harms extend beyond the individual, affecting an estimated six to ten others for every person experiencing problem gambling []. Individuals may experience significant harms without a diagnosis. Australian research suggests that a larger proportion of regular gambling consumers experience low to moderate harms, compared to severe harms [,,], highlighting that early intervention and prevention strategies are essential to reduce gambling harms. Gambling harm-minimization policies and interventions have traditionally focused on interventions for individuals experiencing severe gambling-related harms. Public health campaigns typically highlight risks, low odds of winning, and indicators of gambling problems, placing primary responsibility on individuals to limit their gambling and recognize emerging harms []. Consumers generally view such public health messages as ineffective in changing behavior []. Despite growing international attention to the wide-reaching impacts of gambling harms, there remains little empirical evidence on how to best support consumers to gamble in a lower-risk manner and provide tools which meet their unique needs. This research directly addresses this gap by asking: Will regular betting customers likely use a personalized digital prevention tool designed to strengthen informed, sustainable decision-making about gambling?