With the advent of sports betting in Massachusetts looming on the horizon, “responsible gambling” advocates are calling for more protection for consumers.

Last Tuesday, the state Gaming Commission heard from academics and advocates for “responsible gambling” groups who cautioned that the state’s foray into betting on professional sports comes with the risk of increasing problem gambling.

During an hours-long panel discussion, commissioners heard from experts who stressed the need for employee training to recognize signs of problem gambling, resources to enforce the law’s under-21 restriction and using budgetary tools, such as deposit limits, that prevent bettors from exceeding spending caps.