The Gist Mike Pesca on "Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em"
Nov 1, 2025
Mike Pesca, a former NPR contributor and host, dives into the gritty details of the NBA betting scandal, revealing how mobsters and marked decks influenced the game. He discusses the surge of online gambling, exposing the dangers it poses to young athletes and the addictive appeal of micro-bets. The conversation also touches on the psychological thrill of competition and how even paid athletes can succumb to temptation. Plus, laugh along as they critique Karine Jean-Pierre's rocky book tour and Louis C.K.'s controversial confessions.
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Rowdy Banter Opens The Episode
- The Smoke 'Em If You Got 'Em hosts stage light, banter, and personal jabs while introducing Mike Pesca.
- They use playful teasing and a birthday plug to create a casual, combative tone.
How Online Betting Multiplied Corruption Risks
- Legalized online betting created many niche wager types that make individual players uniquely exploitable.
- Those niche bets plus complex derivatives risk systemic corruption across leagues and platforms.
Stars Lured Into Mafia Poker With Rigged Gear
- FBI alleges NBA stars were lured into mafia-run fixed poker games using marked decks and tech like x-ray tables.
- The pod discussed a million-and-a-half dollar theft from one victim in those rigged games.
