Sports betting is here. What are the implications?
Written by Raghav Narsana
Over just the last few years, national sports betting has risen to extreme popularity in the everyday lives of avid sports fans. With simply a few clicks on a phone app, fans ages 18/21+, depending on state, can wager on every play, player, game, and everything in between. Currently, 38 states (plus Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico) offer legal sports betting in some format. Leagues like the NFL and NBA are open partners with sportsbooks and major companies like Fanduel can be seen through advertisements virtually everywhere. The growing legalization of betting has opened up more business avenues, but there are also notable risks which contemporary policies are failing to address.
A central problem is not the existence of sports betting itself, but rather it is the easy accessibility and unhealthy obsession that stems from it. The University of Michigan News notes that assaults see the largest jump—up to 93% after unexpected home team outcomes. The frequency of major sports events adds to this finding as there are more opportunities for big losses and gains which makes fans build an unhealthy attachment towards players and their success. Fans even go to the extent of direct messaging death threats to players and their loved ones of players which they bet on.
The Cornell Journal of Law and Public Policy notes, “Betting has been linked to online harassment of athletes, for example. Stars like Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart of the New York Knicks have commented on the extensive abuse they receive via social media, including death threats, racial slurs, and requests for money from angry bettors.”
Contrary to traditional casinos, online sportsbooks do not require physical presence, time limits, or spending fears. These sportsbooks actually encourage users through different notifications and betting incentives, giving free money to spend. This ultimately keeps bettors hooked. The government involved with this phenomenon is not doing their best work to stop this plague either as lobbyists for sports betting companies have downplayed the addictive nature of the behavior.
Another major concern is the unethical advertising surrounding betting. Sports broadcasts and channels now openly discuss betting odds while announcing active games. Major social media platforms such as ESPN are actively promoting the potential benefits of sports betting, as they post huge payouts received. Because younger viewers consume a large portion of sports content through these platforms, they are more likely to encounter and internalize these messages, even if they are not legally allowed to bet. This repeated exposure can shape certain attitudes toward gambling and betting making it seem like a normal and even highly necessary part of sports viewing. Kalshi, a national trading market for users 18+, even has many states and government agencies...challenging its legality. Though it is not a direct form of betting via a sportsbook, there are loopholes that these young adults are finding to use as fulfillment.
One of the most unforeseen results of betting, however, is the impacts it has on the integrity of the games. A popular story this past MLB season revealed that two players for the Cleveland Guardians, Emmanuel Clase and Luiz Ortiz, were paid off to fix pitches. The Department of Justice noted that they defrauded the online betting platforms where the bets were placed. The attractiveness of gambling does not just stop at sports fans, but has potentially compromised the structure of the sports we love to watch. Additionally, these scandals are not solely limited to players. Another infamous case happened just last year, surrounding the former head coach of the Portland Trail Blazers, Chauncey Billups and his alleged involvement with the Mafia by rigging poker games. Though this is not directly related to sports betting itself, the idea of gambling appears to all groups of people and it is only a matter of time until it fully tarnishes the sports world and culture.
Sports are meant to foster a sense of community and competition among all demographics of people. The concept of betting and making margins of returns while simultaneously being entertained is certainly tempting for many. However, this should not overshadow the integrity of the games themselves or cause harm to other fans, athletes, and loved ones. The ongoing legalization will not come to a halt, but by imposing stricter regulations and ensuring that the business of betting does not bring more issues than benefits, a safer environment can be restored.
