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Experts warn that easy-to-use betting apps may be quietly draining bank accounts and impacting credit scores

• Sports betting apps are making it easier than ever to spend and lose money quickly, with research linking their rise to worsening credit and higher debt.

• Aggressive tactics like constant push notifications and bet now promotions are designed to create urgency and keep users coming back.

• Consumers can take steps to protect themselves, like limiting notifications and setting boundaries, but experts say stronger protections may be needed.

Placing a quick bet on your phone might feel harmless even fun especially during big events like March Madness. But behind the convenience and flashy promotions, experts say sports betting apps could be taking a real toll on consumers financial health.

According to research and consumer advocates like the National Consumer League, the rapid rise of mobile sports betting is making it easier than ever to spend and lose money, often without fully realizing the impact. Studies have linked legalized sports betting to rising credit card delinquencies and declining credit scores, particularly among younger consumers who are the most active users.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with Eden Iscil, Senior Public Policy Manager at the National Consumer League, to help consumers better understand the financial risks and perhaps more importantly, how to protect yourself and your finances.

Betting apps want you to act urgently

Iscil explained that one of the biggest risks to consumers' finances and overall credit is the urgency that many sports betting apps employ to entice people to spend more and bet more.

The most concerning practice we found was how aggressively betting apps were using their notifications as an advertising vehicle, Iscil said. They use terms like bet now and ping you with time limited offers.

Consumers might want a message every now and then related to account security or the payout of a bet. I dont know how many people would allow notifications if they knew itd result in ads on their phone saying bet now.

Push notifications are part of the problem

The immediacy and frequency of push notifications directly from sports betting apps is another key component here. Iscil explained that were essentially always exposed to the temptation of betting, and these apps have gotten creative at making us feel like we need to keep opening the app and placing new bets.

Push notifications are uniquely effective at getting our attention, Iscil said. Notifications give advertisers greater customizability compared to text messages. Notifications are also more likely to be read compared to an email message.

This is especially problematic right now because unlike SMS and email, there are no explicit federal regulations on how businesses can advertise via app notifications. An email marketing practice that would get you fined is ok as long as you do it over push notifications, which is more effective ad space anyway.

Protecting yourself and your finances

If you find yourself falling victim to the pressures of sports betting apps, hope isnt lost. Iscil shared some strategies for consumers to have more control of their betting and their finances.

Some apps may allow you to turn off marketing notifications in the apps settings. But most dont clearly label that feature and some dont offer that capability at all, Iscil said.

Consumers can turn off notifications for an app in their devices settings, but they should know that doing so will turn off all notifications, marketing and not. They might miss out on important messages, like login attempts or cash withdrawal updates, which is why its so important for there to be a dedicated setting to turn off just marketing notifications.

Iscil also likened sports betting ads to advertisements for cigarettes or tobacco, and work needs to be done to ensure consumers arent fed constant notifications from these sources.

We have set a standard in this country that we dont tolerate ads for especially addictive products, like tobacco, Iscil said. Cigarette ads on the radio were too egregious for policymakers and were banned by the 70s.

The idea that an addictive product should be able to send you constant messages on your phones lock screen should not be normalized. These kinds of tactics are barbaric really.

New findings highlight stronger ties to anxiety and depression

• A large Canadian study found cannabis use is increasingly linked with anxiety and depression.

• The connection appears stronger over time, especially among frequent users.

• Researchers say the findings show a correlation not proof that cannabis causes these conditions.

Cannabis is often talked about as a way to relax or cope with stress but new research suggests the relationship between cannabis and mental health may be more complicated.

A major study out of McMaster University found that people who use cannabis are more likely to report symptoms of anxiety and depression compared to those who dont use it.

Importantly, researchers stress that this doesnt mean cannabis directly causes these conditions. Instead, the study highlights a growing overlap between cannabis use and mental health challenges something experts say deserves closer attention, especially as cannabis becomes more widely available.

We see that Canadians who use cannabis tend to be more likely to meet criteria for anxiety and depressive disorders, and more likely to report suicidality. We also see that this co-occurrence has strengthened over time, Jillian Halladay, an assistant professor in the School of Nursing at McMaster and youth substance use research lead at the Peter Boris Centre for Addictions Research, said in a news release.

How the study was conducted

To understand the connection, researchers analyzed data from two large, nationally representative surveys of Canadians ages 15 and older. One dataset came from 2012 and included more than 25,000 participants, while the second, from 2022, included nearly 10,000 people.

Participants were asked about how often they used cannabis over the past year, ranging from never to frequent use (multiple times per week). The researchers then compared those responses with measures of mental health, including generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts.

Using statistical models, the team looked for patterns between cannabis use and these mental health outcomes and whether those patterns changed over time.

What the researchers found

The results showed a consistent pattern: cannabis use was linked with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality and that link became stronger over time.

In fact, by 2022, people who used cannabis regularly (two or more times a week) were about five times more likely to report these mental health issues compared to non-users.

The study also found a dose-response relationship, meaning the more frequently someone used cannabis, the stronger the association with mental health challenges.

At the same time, rates of both cannabis use and conditions like anxiety and depression increased over the decade studied.

Researchers caution that the study cannot determine cause and effect. Its possible that people with anxiety or depression are more likely to use cannabis, that cannabis may worsen symptoms over time, or that both are influenced by other factors. Still, the growing connection between the two is something experts say shouldnt be ignored.

Its important for people to recognize when and how their cannabis use may be impacting their mental health, and how their mental health may be influencing their cannabis use, Halladay said. Its also increasingly important for health and mental health providers to assess and address both cannabis use and mental health concerns together.

A closer look at Amazons growing gig driver program

• Its flexible work, but youre running your own business: Amazon Flex lets you pick shifts, but you cover gas, maintenance, and taxes.

• Once you factor in costs and unpaid time (waiting, driving to pickups), your true hourly earnings can drop quickly.

• Focus on higher-paying surge blocks, track your real profit, and prioritize deliveries (like groceries) that can include tips.

Amazon is quietly expanding its gig economy footprint through a delivery program called Amazon Flex. Theyre pitching it as a flexible way to earn extra cash using your own car.

On the surface, it sounds simple: deliver packages on your own schedule and get paid.

But like most side hustles, the reality is a little more complicated. Heres what you need to know.

What Amazon Flex actually is

Amazon Flex is a delivery program where you act as an independent contractor, using your own vehicle to deliver packages, groceries, or retail orders.

Heres how it works:

• You download the app.
• Pick delivery blocks (shifts) that fit your schedule.
• Show up atyour nearest Amazon delivery station, grab the packages, and deliver them.

Most drivers earn about $18$25 per hour before expenses, depending on location and demand.

Why Amazon is pushing this now

Amazon is racing to speed up delivery times and lower costs, especially to more rural addresses.

Programs like Flex help the company:

• Deliver more packages faster.
• Avoid hiring full-time drivers.
• Scale up quickly during peak demand.

Translation: Its great for Amazons logisticsbut youre essentially running your own mini delivery business.

The real costs most people overlook

Keep in mind that your hourly rate isnt your take-home pay.

As a Flex driver, youll be responsible for the following:

• Gas
• Car maintenance
• Insurance
• Taxes

And youre not paid for:

• Time waiting for delivery blocks
• Driving to pick-up locations
• Slow delivery routes

Also, its worth noting that smaller cars and open-bed trucks do not qualify. You must have a 4-door, mid-sized sedan or larger vehicle.

Heres how you apply to be a driver

The entire system runs through the Amazon Flex app and the onboarding process also takes place through the app.

According to Amazon, Most people complete all onboarding documents in less than an hour and can start delivering with Amazon Flex in less than a week.

Once approved, you:

• Open the app and browse available delivery blocks.
• See upfront pay and time commitment before accepting.
• Show up, pick up packages, and follow the apps route.

Most blocks last three to five hours, and Amazon says drivers typically earn about $18 to $25 per hour before expenses.

Youre also fully in control of your schedule which means you can work as little or as much as you want, depending on availability.

Smart tips before applying

1. Focus on surge blocks only. Pay increases when demand spikes (holidays, early mornings, bad weather). The more experienced drivers wait for higher-paying blocks instead of grabbing the first one available.
2. Track your real hourly earnings. Dont just look at your gross pay,as that only tells part of your income story. Be sure to track gas costs, mileage, and your overall time spent, as thistells you your true profitand whether driving for Amazon is worth it.
3. Choose the right delivery type. Not all blocks are equal. Grocery deliveries (like those from Whole Foods) can include some fairly healthy tips. However, standard package routes usually dont get tips unless its around Christmas-time. Thedifference between these two routes can significantly impact your earnings.

The free app is designed for iPhone 14 and newer models

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• A new iPhone app called Food Additive Lens uses artificial intelligence to help consumers and professionals better understand ingredients and additives in food products.

• The free app lets users scan ingredient labels and receive clear explanations about additives within seconds while shopping.

• Built on government and scientific databases, the tool aims to make reliable food information more accessible and combat misinformation.

Because of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Make America Healthy Again, more consumers may be paying closer attention to food labels. Food labels tell you all the ingredients in a food product, but in many cases, its hard to know what the ingredients are and whether they are healthy or not.

However, a newly launched iPhone app is trying to take the mystery out of food labels by putting detailed, science-backed explanations of ingredients directly into shoppers hands.

The free app is called Food Additive Lens. It uses artificial intelligence to analyze ingredient lists and explain the purpose and safety of additives in plain language. Designed for iPhone 14 and newer models, the app allows users to scan a product label in the grocery aisle and receive near-instant insights about whats inside their food.

The tool was developed by Yihang Feng while he was a graduate student at the University of Connecticut, during a summer research assistantship with the Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS). The project also led to a journal publication detailing how the app addresses growing consumer concerns about food additives.

Consumers deserve access to clear, credible information about whats in their food, Feng said. Food Additive Lens makes that information available instantly, right when people need it mostwhile theyre shopping.

How it works

After a user snaps a photo of an ingredient label, the apps three-part AI system goes to work. It categorizes the food product, identifies any additives, and explains what each one does whether its preserving freshness, enhancing flavor, or improving texture.

While some food ingredient lists can be hard to understand, the explanations by the app are written in simple, accessible language for everyday shoppers. The app also offers deeper technical and regulatory details for nutrition professionals, researchers, and health care providers.

For those who dont have an iPhone, a web-based version of the tool is also available.

Built on scientific data

Unlike many consumer-facing nutrition tools, Food Additive Lens draws from a wide range of authoritative data sources. Its food classification system was trained on more than 10,000 items from the USDAs Global Branded Food Products Database. It also incorporates information on more than 4,000 FDA-approved additives, using definitions and regulatory descriptions from the Code of Federal Regulations.

Additional data comes from the FDAs Substances Added to Foods Database, helping ensure that the apps explanations are accurate and evidence-based.

Accessing reliable information about food additives has traditionally required consulting scientific journals, regulatory documents, or textbooksresources that are not easily available in a grocery store setting. The app is designed to bridge that gap by delivering expert-backed information in real time.

According to the research behind the app, the project demonstrates how advanced AI can be used for science communication on consumer devices, offering a scalable way to improve transparency and counter food-related misinformation while maintaining user privacy.

The number of egg-laying hens increased by 5% in 2025

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Egg prices have dropped sharply from last years record highs as U.S. supplies rebound.

• Retail prices are down about 58% year over year, with wholesale prices falling even more dramatically.

• The recovery follows fewer bird flu outbreaks and a rebuilding of the nations egg-laying flock.

While the price of everything seems to be going up, one item at the grocery store is cheaper than it was a year ago, with prices still declining. The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service reports egg prices are declining significantly across the United States, offering relief to consumers after a period of record highs driven by avian influenza outbreaks.

Retail egg prices recently averaged about $2.50 per dozen, a 58% drop from a year earlier and the lowest level since late 2023, economists said. Wholesale prices have fallen even more steeply, with large Grade A eggs dropping from more than $8 per dozen last winter to below $1 earlier this year, before edging up slightly ahead of Easter demand.

The primary driver of the decline is a recovery in supply following last years widespread losses tied to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). Fewer and less severe outbreaks this past winter allowed producers to rebuild flocks, boosting production nationwide.

As a result, the number of U.S. egg-laying hens increased from about 292 million last year to roughly 308 million this year, a significant rebound from the historic lows seen in 2025. Experts say the basic economics are straightforward: more birds mean more eggs, which pushes prices down.

Season demand may affect future prices

Consumer behavior has also played a role. Demand softened when prices surged last year, contributing to the current market correction even as supply improved.

Despite the overall decline, prices may fluctuate in the near term due to seasonal demand. Easter and spring baking traditions typically boost egg consumption, leading to modest price increases in the short run.

Looking ahead, industry analysts caution that risks remain. While lower feed costs have helped stabilize production, rising prices for inputs such as corn, soybean meal, and fertilizer could pressure producers later this year.Additionally, avian influenza continues to pose a threat, particularly during the spring migration of wild birds, which can spread the virus.

For now, however, consumers are benefiting from a rare period of relief in grocery store egg prices, with eggs once again among the more affordable protein options compared with higher-priced meats like beef.