Sports gambling is less harmful than other forms of gambling (the very best way to end up broke is to lay around on your phone playin casino games), but it is indeed harmful to those who think they can succeed with minimal effort. NFL numbers are what I do on a day-to-day basis, and I'm barely profitable. I shudder to think what trouble some poor layman would have.
I think the other thing sports gambling is doing is chipping away at the community aspect of these games we love. It used to be that everybody had the same reaction when the home team scored, but now everybody individualises their goals. Perhaps that touchdown completed your four-way parlay, but not the one of the person seated beside you. Then there becomes jubilation for one and frustration for another in a moment that not long ago was a community moment.
1. The whole gambling thing thing sounds like how NIL is rolling out. Too fast too soon and it’s causing a lot of problems. It certainly becomes a problem when punishing for gambling seems really hypocritical in some ways, although not so if point shaving/fixing is involved.
2. Having grown up in State College around the same time you did, I’m dying to know who Guy is. But I’m sure journalistically, you cannot divulge.
This is great (and a nice surprise to see my name!). I fear the genie is already out of the bottle with this one, and in 1-2 years there's going to be a great reckoning about it.
I came across your piece right after I finished writing mine. I'm obviously very sorry you had to to go through that. Hopefully the reckoning comes soon.
I am old enough to remember when stars like Paul Hornung were suspended for gambling by the very league that now promotes it. Hypocrisy? Or is it just a natural evolution? Luckily, I don't gamble but I am annoyed by the barrage of TV promotion. Prohibition did not work with alcohol. I doubt it is a solution for sports gambling.
This is very good.
Sports gambling is less harmful than other forms of gambling (the very best way to end up broke is to lay around on your phone playin casino games), but it is indeed harmful to those who think they can succeed with minimal effort. NFL numbers are what I do on a day-to-day basis, and I'm barely profitable. I shudder to think what trouble some poor layman would have.
I think the other thing sports gambling is doing is chipping away at the community aspect of these games we love. It used to be that everybody had the same reaction when the home team scored, but now everybody individualises their goals. Perhaps that touchdown completed your four-way parlay, but not the one of the person seated beside you. Then there becomes jubilation for one and frustration for another in a moment that not long ago was a community moment.
Two things:
1. The whole gambling thing thing sounds like how NIL is rolling out. Too fast too soon and it’s causing a lot of problems. It certainly becomes a problem when punishing for gambling seems really hypocritical in some ways, although not so if point shaving/fixing is involved.
2. Having grown up in State College around the same time you did, I’m dying to know who Guy is. But I’m sure journalistically, you cannot divulge.
As usual, another good piece. Thank you!
This is great (and a nice surprise to see my name!). I fear the genie is already out of the bottle with this one, and in 1-2 years there's going to be a great reckoning about it.
I came across your piece right after I finished writing mine. I'm obviously very sorry you had to to go through that. Hopefully the reckoning comes soon.
I am old enough to remember when stars like Paul Hornung were suspended for gambling by the very league that now promotes it. Hypocrisy? Or is it just a natural evolution? Luckily, I don't gamble but I am annoyed by the barrage of TV promotion. Prohibition did not work with alcohol. I doubt it is a solution for sports gambling.