The Sam Sanders Show Is Gambling Ruining Sports?
Nov 19, 2025
Baker Machado, a sports journalist and host at Front Office Sports Today, dives into the complex world of sports gambling. He explores how the 2018 Supreme Court decision legalized betting, influencing everything from college athletes to major leagues. Machado reveals how betting companies target fans and the ethical dilemmas surrounding sports advertising. He discusses real-life gambling scandals, the societal impact of betting culture, and the troubling rise of gambling addiction. His insights make for an eye-opening and thought-provoking conversation.
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2018 Shift Opened Betting Floodgates
- The 2018 Supreme Court decision legalized sports betting and opened a flood of new betting markets.
- Prop bets and predictive markets expanded access and complexity, changing how people engage with sports.
Big Money and Market Concentration
- Sportsbooks made a record $13.7 billion last year and big operators dominate the market.
- DraftKings and FanDuel control over 60% of the market and heavily advertise across major sports platforms.
Players Get Harassed By Angry Bettors
- Athletes face direct abuse from bettors when prop bets fail, with college players particularly targeted.
- The NCAA found one in three student athletes received abusive messages, mostly during March Madness.