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Today, Explained

The case against legal sports betting

Dec 23, 2024
Charles Fain Lehman, an addiction researcher and author, teams up with Danny Green, a three-time NBA champion, to discuss the pitfalls of legalized sports betting. They delve into how this booming industry has negatively impacted sports, highlighting issues like addiction and its financial implications. Danny shares firsthand experiences of the pressures athletes face from fans tied to betting outcomes. They raise critical questions about the ethics and future of sports in an era increasingly influenced by wagering.
27:38

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The legalization of sports betting has resulted in increased accessibility and a surge in addiction, particularly among vulnerable populations.
  • The financial consequences of sports betting disproportionately affect those who can least afford it, leading to severe social issues and increased bankruptcy rates.

Deep dives

The Rise of Sports Betting in America

The legalization of sports betting in the United States has dramatically increased since the Supreme Court lifted a federal ban in 2018. Before this change, sports betting was banned from 1992 to 2018, with Congress passing a law that the sports leagues widely supported. The American Gaming Association has reported that Americans bet over $100 billion on sports in the last year, which indicates that approximately one in three Americans now engages in sports betting. This massive growth has led to the emergence of numerous online sportsbooks, significantly changing the landscape of both sports consumption and betting.

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