Today’s disagreement is about Online Sports Betting.
The rise of mobile, app-based sports betting is having profound impacts on the nature of sports viewership, fandom, and gambling addiction, particularly amongst young men.
In the last couple of years, sports betting has exploded across the United States. Here’s why: in 2018, the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on sports betting. It is now legal in 38 states. In 30 of those states, gamblers can place wagers online, with just a few clicks on their mobile phone. This year, 42 million American adults will place a sports wager online, anincrease of 41% from last year.
The Questions
Is the rapid ascent of online sports betting creating a public health crisis?
Is the online sports betting industry predatory?
How should it be regulated?
The Guests
“If you take any addictive product and you deliver it at light speed with constant access, you are going to hurt people.” - Dr. Harry Levant
Dr. Harry Levant is the Director of Gambling Policy with the Public Health Advocacy Institute at Northeastern University. Harry is also an Internationally Certified Gambling Counselor and a gambling addict in recovery for more than ten years.
“People are going to be betting. I'm trying to give more guardrails so that they're not irresponsible.” – Ben Fawkes
Ben Fawkes is a sports betting expert and industry insider. As a consultant and writer, Ben has produced work for CBS Sports, Gannett, and ESPN. Previously, Ben was the Vice President, Digital Content at VSiN, The Sports Betting Network.
Notes
The term “parlay” comes up a lot. In sports betting, a parlay is when a bettor makes two or more bets and combines them into one wager.
For example, you could do a parlay that:
Jason Tatum will score more than 30 points tomorrow night…
and that Al Horford will have 8 or more rebounds…
and the Celtics will attempt fewer than 35 3-pointers…
and that they will defeat the Miami Heat.
You can add as many layers as you’d like. It is not uncommon for people to layer on 12 or 13 bets. If all of those things happen, you will have a big payout. If one of them misses, you’d lose all the money wagered.
The companies in this episode say they are committed to responsible gaming and have taken corrective action such as suspending or closing customers' accounts.
Show Notes
3:16 - Legalization: Benefits and Risks
6:44 - Public Health Concerns
11:30 - Infrastructure, Addiction and Revenue
22:00 - Same Game Parlays
32:00 - Advertising and The Impact on Young People
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