We’ve all likely said it at some point in our lives, whether as children, teenagers, or adults. It’s a phrase we casually use as part of social norms without much consideration. We say it to friends, family, and especially to our competitors. It appears harmless—until it isn’t
Can you guess what I’m hinting at?
I bet you can’t guess the color I’m thinking of, or who will be at our dinner tonight. I bet you can’t make five consecutive free throws, and I bet Real Madrid will win the championship. Get it?
Those two words, that phrase, ‘I bet,’ can sometimes, very easily, help lead someone into a gambling habit.
For sure there are degrees; from the casual weekend bettor to the “hooked on”, “can’t stop betting on everything” soul lost in that world of odds, wins, ties and losses.
Sometimes I wonder how many people attending sporting events are more focused on their bets than on cheering for the team and I ask if some of the disorderly poor conduct we witness in sports arenas is a byproduct of gambling pressures and the anxiety of losing money? I’ve seen this up close through a family member who battled gambling addiction; their behavior and comments while watching or even participating in sporting events were frequently shameful and embarrassing.
For those that are unaware, sports gambling, for many years prohibited, has now been legalized. As a matter of fact, there are probably more online betting sites than there are sports. You can now find countless online options to wager on nearly any sport, anywhere around the globe. And it is practically impossible to produce a detailed list of the number of sports aspects (winner-loser, point differences, high scorers, the under, the over, the number of rebounds-offensive or defensive, number of total foul shots taken or made, etc. etc. etc.) that the betting person can place a wager on.
I often reflect on and pity the many lives and families that have been shattered by problem gambling, clinically referred to as ludopathy or ludomania, which is defined as gambling behavior despite the negative monetary consequences.
But alas, sports gambling has become commonplace. It is legal and is now a widely accepted and highly promoted aspect of professional sports.
It has had a profound and complex impact on professional sports worldwide, with both positive and negative consequences.
Below are the good and the bad of it all.
Positive Impacts
Revenue Increase
Sponsorships & Collaborations: Betting firms support leagues, teams, and events (such as Betway, DraftKings, FanDuel, etc.).
Broadcasting Agreements: Gambling promotions have enhanced media income.
Licensing & Regulation: Nations with legalized sports betting (like the UK, certain US states, and Australia) gain from taxed revenue and heightened investment in sports.
Fan Involvement
Betting (particularly in-play or fantasy betting) boosts viewership, emotional engagement, and interaction with games.
Applications and platforms have gamified sports viewing, attracting new audiences.
Data & Analytics Surge
Betting markets create a demand for comprehensive real-time statistics and predictive analytics, which are also utilized in coaching, training, and commentary.
Negative Impacts
Match-Fixing & Corruption
Notable scandals include: 2000: Hansie Cronje cricket scandal (South Africa), 2006: Serie A “Calciopoli” scandal (Italy), Ongoing tennis match-fixing investigations by the Tennis Integrity Unit.
Lower-tier leagues are particularly susceptible due to reduced player salaries.
Integrity Issues
Even the mere perception of games being compromised due to gambling can diminish public confidence.
Leagues have had to enforce stringent integrity measures, impose betting bans on players/coaches, and establish monitoring systems.
Addiction & Mental Health
Gambling addiction impacts athletes, fans, and staff.
Some athletes have faced personal and financial devastation due to gambling issues (e.g., Paul Merson, Joey Barton).
Youth Exposure
Advertisements during live broadcasts frequently target or unintentionally reach younger viewers, raising ethical questions about normalizing gambling.
Numerous inquiries have been initiated regarding questionable results or unusual betting behaviors in Balkan leagues and smaller competitions. Betting advertisements are prominently displayed during live matches and on team gear.
Finally, nations such as Spain and Italy have taken steps to limit or prohibit gambling advertisements in sports, as seen in Spain’s 2021 ‘Royal Decree’.
Personally, I have no issues with these platforms or the leagues that utilize them. I choose not to engage with them for both personal and professional reasons. While I won’t delve into my personal views, as a former professional player and coach, I would never place a bet on events with so many unpredictable factors. However, everyone has their own preferences.
Reflecting on the multitude of these betting sites reminds me of an old commercial from my youth in New York, where a persistent used car dealership ad would proclaim, ‘Money Talks, Nobody Walks.’ To these betting platforms, I would counter, ‘Money Doesn’t Talk, It Screams!’ And for those who do use these sites, I advise you to remember the phrase, ‘The House Always Wins!
You can bet on that.
CEO de Piratas del Basket
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