What do you think of the explosion of sports betting apps?

[WhiteSteve]

Kind of a random thought that passed my mind because of an ad….

In the US, in the last 5-10 years, sports betting apps seem to be really taking off. I think some restrictions were lifted and it opened the floodgates. Now I’m seeing it EVERYWHERE, in terms of advertising.

I don’t know, maybe it’s just my family, but I was raised believing gambling is kind of…. I don’t know…scummy? Low-class? Something like that. I’m not talking about going on vacation to Vegas or playing in your office football pool or Super Bowl squares, but like frequent and habitual gambling. Like the “Hey, Frankie, I wanna lay two dimes on the Giants” type stuff. Like people who have a regular bookie they deal with.

I guess this eliminates the criminal side of it, and now Frankie’s “associate” Louie Knuckles isn’t at your door with a lead pipe. So that’s good.

But what about the actual gambling? I’ve always been anti-gambling, because the anguish of losing money I already had is tenfold the joy of winning money that I didn’t.

I used to work in a convenience store when I was a teenager, and the “lottery whores”, as I called them, were a sad sight. Dropping money on Megabucks and scratch tickets…. and they were always back the next day. The day they pulled up in a Maserati never came. My parents ran a thrift store aimed at homeless or destitute people, and these folks would being dying to get their assistance check from the state…. to buy scratch tickets. They all thought one day, a scratch ticket would rescue them from poverty. Very sad.

Anyway, I’m thinking of everyone now, and maybe particularly young men. I’ve never understood needing “action” on a sporting event to “make it interesting.” I watch because I enjoy the game., or I don’t watch at all. But I feel like we’re going to train young people that this goes hand-in-hand.

This seems like it could put people in bad situations, and with all the problems we have, why create more? In the name of “money”, and “capitalism?”

Thoughts?

[NathanDavis]

loathe it...

I used to LOVE to watch sports, mostly soccer... and I say LOVED IT, because it truly was an act of love many times, soccer is not the most entertaining or exciting sport to watch ON TV... it is very difficult to like it, or better said... there's a whole lot to dislike about it, but you love the sport and watch it anyway

now I hate to do so... reasons were many and happened over time, but the last nail in the coffin was actually this, betting MAFIAS

that's what they are

if you know about how in soccer many commentators go stupid like GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL

now... they literally, literally go like GOAL!! and then, the for the next 10 seconds they're shouting and screaming at you to go to a betting house and bet the hell out of anything you can... and every five minutes or less... they reduce the game broadcasting to the smallest PIP corner they can digitally fit in... and the rest of your TV is flashing with betting houses bullshit, lmfao

awfully sad... and ridiculous as well

[SeekerOfTruth007]

Sports betting should be banned. I believe many teams are intentionally throwing games to "win on both ends" as it were. How does it make sense that the Super Dome is sponsored by Caesars, and you can bet on games in the super dome sponsored by the gambling app? Clearly this is a conflict of interest.

[purplepoppy]

In the UK, highstreet bookies have long had a bas reputation. They're usually located in deprived areas and the clientèle the beer swilling chains chainsmoking kind. Most women wouldn't go into one except to drag their husband out before he blew the rent on a 50/1 long shot at Aintree.

Now it seems every advert on TV is for betting apps, budget funerals, and people offering you a payday loan at 2000% interest. Usually they'll tempt you in with some "great deal" like free spins or 2nd chances but then there's the wagering requirements that say you can't get your money until you've played 590 times and the dogs given birth to kittens.

[FreyaRed]

Legalized scam that get out of control. Few years back there were just few sport bet licenses sold by government, apps with server in Tobago or El Salvador are completely out of control and law jurisdiction. Gamblers are fools but they have often families who suffer from their idiotic addiction.

[OddBeMe]

Probably a good thing. If it’s like fantasy football…it’s rigged liked crazy. But honest gambling should be seen as a source of taxation by all states and regulated. Like alcohol- where it can be held.


Liquor stores and car dealers have definite zones they can only reside, which does have positive affect on housing prices. Even if it’s only for puritan ressons.

[DryGermanGuy]

That can't be good. I have heard that easier access to internet gambling companies worsened the addiction problem here, apart from the financial hardship in such families. I am for the strictest regulations possible.

[molonski2]

Massive mainly male problem certainly in Australia , not good , not good at all , targeted.

[WhiteSteve]

Dang, you guys have it too? Terrible, hate to see it.

I remember getting some kind of warning in school, avoiding getting caught up in “football cards”, I think they called them, which I think is basically just betting on the entire week of NFL football games against the spread.

Man, it’s that “against the spread”…. you want me to pick a winner? I’m actually pretty good at that. But asking me to predict by HOW MUCH, that’s something else, and can be altered by outside factors. And Las Vegas oddsmakers do this shit all day, chances are much better that they’ll be right and you’ll be wrong. I knew Trump was going to win last November just because Vegas said he would, lmfao

[beefcakebradybatson]

And LOTS of these lonely young men become problem gamblers.

[molonski2]

The adverts are aimed at young men , with a particular " ocker " voice , the message being " come on have a bet " only with the leader Sportsnet ( or the like ) from there the bets get more exoctic.

[beefcakebradybatson]

As in North America.

[molonski2]

Hmm , it's not good , normalizing betting on everything , I see it with people I know. It's sad..
Will lead to further suicide.

[beefcakebradybatson]

And bankruptcy, which often leads to suicide.(Doesn't Nevada, particularly Las Vegas, have America's highest suicide rate? )

[molonski2]

@beefcakebradybatson
We agree entirely its horrendous.
I watched this young guy in Vegas in 1998 , on hands and knees to security " Pleeeeeasse Pleeease , I swear Sir , I'm before you , let me back in Pleeeeease " , I said to my mate " Why does he not just go next door " .. He answered " Man , he thinks his luck is gonna change "
Then , right then , it just hit me , the unseen danger.. Now guess what? No gaming apps in 98 ..

Whatever happened to that kid? its 27 years ago.

[beefcakebradybatson]

I hope he's straightened out his life (assuming he's still with us) in his middle age !!!

[molonski2]

Yes , I sure hope so.

[WatchMeCumXD]

1. Never pay more than -200 for ML chalk unless it’s part of a parlay
2. Avoid long odds parlays unless you are an excellent capper
3. Use every boost and free bet available
4. Don’t use illegal or shady sites
5. Watch line movement to determine sharp money


And most importantly


6. Never bet anything you can’t afford to lose.
These are the gambling rules to live by.


Also don’t sports bet, you can’t win long term. Lol

[Dargil]

It reflects the political and cultural climate here today. Beyond that, I don't care.

[MannMitAntworten]

I think … time for me to create a betting app for the suckers.

[jamesgoldman]

It's another market that people back, I place a few bets a year (Superbowl and the Grand National)

[Becky93]

It’s they pushing for it. When an athlete participates in it they get in trouble. Also now you can gamble from your phone as in a slot machine.

[Professor-college]

That some people always trying to get money by not working hard for it following these false illusion and end up in trouble

[noohair]

This is not good...

[fish5505_87]

Dangerous, especially for the young!

[Manuelwe]

Bad if you have a bad gambling habit

[TraderJoe]

Who cares?