Losing Everything to FanDuel | Morning Brief

Philadelphia's Gambling Crisis and Other News

Philadelphia has become the top market for online gambling companies, leading to a surge in addiction helpline calls. This situation has been described as a national crisis, with many residents facing severe consequences due to their gambling habits.

The Rise of Online Gambling

In Pennsylvania and New Jersey, two of only six states in the U.S. where both sports betting and online casino games are legal, gambling helpline calls have tripled since 2021. Half of those calling the helplines cite online gambling as their main problem. Many individuals report devastating impacts on their lives, including lost paychecks, foreclosed homes, and ruined relationships. In New Jersey, the average debt for each caller is about $34,000.

Advertisers have also taken advantage of the fast-growing market, spending $37 million in the Philadelphia area in 2025—more than in New York City and much more than in Las Vegas. Experts suggest that lawmakers have struggled to keep up with the industry’s rapid growth.

Mail Fail

More details are emerging about the millions of pieces of mail from Pennsylvania agencies that never reached residents last month. A state-contracted vendor was fired after officials discovered the mistake, which affected PennDot and Department of Human Services correspondence from November 3 through December 3. Missing mail from PennDot included driver’s license and vehicle registration renewal invitations. It is not yet clear what type of communications went unsent from DHS, although Electronic Benefit Transfer cards and some other benefits-related items were not affected.

Questions remain about why it took a full month for officials to determine that the mail had not been reaching residents and how the issue was discovered.

What You Should Know Today

President Donald Trump hosted a rally Tuesday night in Northeastern Pennsylvania to try to flip the script on affordability concerns. Before Trump spoke at the Mount Pocono casino, gamblers shared a mixed view of the economy.

Twin Atlantic County brothers were arrested and charged Tuesday with allegedly writing threats on social media against a federal employee and immigration agents. A top Philadelphia fire department official was demoted amid a sexual harassment probe. The city refuses to discuss the case.

The Frankford Arsenal once housed Philly’s narcotics unit. The site gave police officers brain cancer, lawsuits contend. New Jersey officials are asking residents to voluntarily curtail water as a plunge in rainfall strains reservoirs, streams, and aquifers.

The University of Delaware on Tuesday appointed Laura A. Carlson, who had been serving as interim president, to the permanent post, effective January 1. Philadelphia’s newest school building, Alternative Middle Years at James Martin in Port Richmond, will open in January. Take a look inside.

Typical retail workers would need to make more than twice their annual wages to afford the region’s median-priced apartment, per Redfin. The Phillies and free agent slugger Kyle Schwarber have agreed on a new five-year contract worth $150 million. The team has also extended manager Rob Thomson’s contract through 2027.

Quote of the Day

A five-week-long, multidisciplinary arts festival called What Now: 2026 will launch in May as part of the county’s Semiquincentennial. Collaborators include BlackStar, Philadanco!, and Theatre in the X. P.S. Also coming in 2026? Year-round FringeArts programming, a souped-up RockyFest (possibly including a permanent Rocky statue atop the Art Museum steps), and lots of Liberty Bells.

Trivia Time

Philly native Sheinelle Jones is taking over Hoda Kotb’s chair at Today permanently. She once worked as cohost of which other morning show?

A) Morning Joe
B) Good Day Philadelphia
C) Preston & Steve Show
D) Good Morning America

Think you know? Check your answer.

What (and Where) We’re...

🏢 Eyeing: The Wanamaker building owners’ plans for a rooftop pool and a sunny Grand Court.
🍾 Living it up: Center City’s newest bar, which plans to serve caviar and $600 glasses of Champagne.
🍷 Shopping: These excellent wine shops in Philly and the suburbs.
☕ Checking out: Trung Nguyên, the Starbucks of Vietnamese coffee.
⚽ Considering: Philly’s Haitian soccer fans’ excitement for their team’s World Cup match at the Linc.

🧩 Unscramble the anagram
Hint: Area in Northeast Philadelphia
MISSION WING

Email us if you know the answer. We’ll select a reader at random to shout out here.

Cheers to Rohit Lal, who solved Tuesday’s anagram: Wynnewood. Residents of the Main Line community are building a Village to help Lower Merion’s older adults age in place.

Photo of the day
🎄 One last festive thing: Brandywine Valley businesses get a Christmas boom from Longwood Gardens visitors. In the run-up to the Kennett Square attraction’s light show festival, “we know that we need to be staffed up and ready,” one local restaurateur told The Inquirer.

Thanks for starting your day with The Inquirer. Stay warm out there.