The Brian Lehrer Show
Legal Sports Betting and Public Health
Apr 1, 2025
Jonathan Cohen, a historian and author of Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling, discusses the explosive growth of legalized sports betting and its concerning effects on public health. He highlights alarming statistics about rising gambling addiction, particularly among young men, and the normalization of betting in sports culture. Cohen emphasizes the urgent need for awareness, education, and policy changes to address the hidden dangers of gambling addiction and promote responsible gambling discussions.
26:47
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Quick takeaways
- The rapid legalization of sports betting has led to a public health crisis, especially with rising gambling addiction among young men.
- Despite the growth of legalized sports betting, the economic benefits for states have been minimal compared to expectations and other revenue sources.
Deep dives
The Rise of Online Sports Betting
The legalization of online sports betting has skyrocketed since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling that overturned a federal ban. Following this decision, 38 states quickly moved to legalize sports betting, making it accessible through any internet-enabled device. Recent statistics indicate that around 40% of Americans have participated in sports betting, with significant concerns about the resulting gambling addiction. The rise in online sports betting has accompanied an increase in calls to addiction hotlines, highlighting the potential for a public health crisis, particularly among young men.
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