Podcast Summary: "Has Sports Betting Changed Professional Athletics Forever?"

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Publisher: WNYC
• Episode Title: Has Sports Betting Changed Professional Athletics Forever?
• Release Date: July 14, 2025

Overview: In this insightful episode of All Of It, host Alison Stewart delves into the profound impact of legalized sports betting on professional athletics and sports culture. Joined by journalist Danny Font, author of the upcoming book Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling, the discussion navigates through the historical context, economic implications, societal consequences, and future outlook of the burgeoning sports betting industry.

1. The Evolution of Sports Betting

Historical Context: Alison Stewart opens the conversation by highlighting the longstanding presence of sports betting in America, dating back to the first professional baseball games in New York City during the mid-1800s. Danny Font elaborates on this history, noting that while betting has always been intertwined with sports, it predominantly operated through black markets until recent legalization efforts.

Danny Font [01:37]: "It's existed since the origin of American professional sports... always been something that was done illegally outside of Nevada."

Legalization Milestone: The discussion underscores the pivotal moment in 2018 when the Supreme Court struck down federal laws prohibiting sports betting, leading to a rapid expansion across dozens of states. New Jersey, under Governor Chris Christie's leadership, emerged as a frontrunner, seeking to rejuvenate Atlantic City's struggling casino industry.

Danny Font [02:44]: "New Jersey sued to overturn that federal law... and practically days later, New Jersey started taking bets."

2. The Black Market vs. Legalization

Expectations vs. Reality: One of the primary arguments for legalizing sports betting was to dismantle the black market. However, Danny Font argues that this goal has largely been unmet, with illegal betting operations still thriving despite legalization.

Danny Font [04:31]: "By all indications, tens of billions of dollars still go to those black market operators."

Expansion of the Betting Pool: Font suggests that instead of merely shifting bettors from illegal to legal platforms, legalization has expanded the overall betting population, attracting individuals who previously wouldn't have engaged in gambling.

Danny Font [05:00]: "We don't know exactly how much money is bet illegally... whether we've simply grown the pool of people betting in general."

3. The Fan Experience and Engagement

Enhanced Engagement: For many fans, sports betting has added an extra layer of excitement and personal investment in games. Alison Stewart shares a listener's perspective illustrating how small bets can heighten the viewing experience.

Alison Stewart [06:14]: "My husband loves watching various sports and gambling small amounts has made it much more fun for me to join him because I have something to root for and am more engaged."

Exhilaration vs. Risk: Danny Font acknowledges the thrill that betting brings but also highlights the darker side of increased engagement, including the potential for addiction.

Danny Font [06:30]: "There's no question it's an exhilarating experience... but on the flip side, parlays and especially same game parlays are much more profitable for the house."

4. Demographics of Sports Betting

Predominantly Young Male Population: The conversation reveals that sports betting primarily attracts young men aged between 20 and 45. This demographic is driven by thrill-seeking behavior and targeted marketing strategies.

Danny Font [09:06]: "It's overwhelmingly young men... there's a sort of thrill seeking that men in that kind of 20 to 45 age range are drawn to."

Marketing Influence: The industry’s aggressive marketing further cements its appeal among this demographic, often promoting complex betting options like same game parlays to entice bettors.

Danny Font [09:54]: "It's become the biggest money maker for these online sports books... parlays and same game parlays are much more profitable for the house."

5. Advertising and Regulation

Aggressive Advertising Tactics: The episode discusses the pervasive advertising of sports betting platforms during sports broadcasts, often featuring beloved sports figures to attract viewers.

Danny Font [11:55]: "Compared to other countries, even Canada, the rules are extremely loose. Almost anything goes."

Regulatory Challenges: While some states mandate the inclusion of problem gambling hotlines in advertisements, overall regulation is minimal, allowing for extensive and often misleading marketing practices.

Danny Font [11:55]: "The industry would tell you there's very aggressive oversight and health experts would say there's pathetically little."

Case in Point: An example cited is DraftKings being ordered to pay a $3 million refund due to misleading advertising practices.

Danny Font [12:30]: "DraftKings... was ordered to pay a $3 million refund to Connecticut sports bettors because of a misleading ad."

6. Gambling Addiction and Its Consequences

Rising Addiction Rates: Legalization has correlated with an increase in gambling addiction, particularly in states like New Jersey, where problem gambling rates have tripled nationally.

Danny Font [14:43]: "In a place like New Jersey... the rate of problem gambling is around 8%, which is triple what was expected across the country."

Progressive Disorder: Gambling addiction can develop progressively over time, making it a significant public health concern as accessibility to betting options increases.

Danny Font [15:00]: "It's also a progressive disorder... what'll it look like in five or 10 years when that progressive disorder has blossomed."

Community Impact: Listener Bill from Jersey City shares his concern about how betting diminishes the pure enjoyment of sports by shifting focus to winning bets.

Bill [13:36]: "People are dominated by the need to get a winning ticket or a winning bet... we're losing the love of the game."

7. Impact on Professional Athletes

Increased Harassment: Professional athletes face heightened harassment and threats from fans disgruntled by their performance affecting bets.

Danny Font [16:22]: "Three quarters of them said they've been harassed about something to do with gambling."

Security Risks: Instances of stalking and targeted threats have become more prevalent, posing significant personal risks to athletes.

Danny Font [16:30]: "There have been people who've been stalked at their team hotel or at their homes."

Integrity Concerns: The ease of placing bets on every play of a game raises concerns about potential gambling scandals and the integrity of sports.

Danny Font [17:00]: "By making it so accessible... it's just so much ground to cover and police for these leagues."

8. Legislative Regrets and Future Outlook

Regret Among Lawmakers: Former Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker expresses regret over legalizing sports betting, acknowledging unforeseen negative consequences after witnessing the impact firsthand.

Danny Font [18:30]: "He literally said, I wish this had stayed in Las Vegas. I regret joining this bandwagon."

Potential for Re-Regulation: The mounting issues may lead states to re-evaluate and tighten regulations, addressing the lax oversight that has facilitated widespread problems.

Danny Font [19:00]: "It's pretty likely that we'll see a phase of re regulation where states say, we let this get out of hand."

Conclusion: This episode of All Of It provides a comprehensive examination of how the legalization of sports betting has irrevocably transformed professional sports and fan experiences. While it has introduced new avenues for engagement and economic growth, it also brings significant challenges, including the persistence of black market operations, increased gambling addiction, and threats to the integrity and safety of professional athletes. As the industry continues to evolve, the need for robust regulatory frameworks and increased awareness of the associated risks becomes increasingly paramount.

Notable Quotes:

• Danny Font [02:44]: "New Jersey sued to overturn that federal law... and practically days later, New Jersey started taking bets."

• Alison Stewart [06:14]: "My husband loves watching various sports and gambling small amounts has made it much more fun for me to join him because I have something to root for and am more engaged."

• Danny Font [09:06]: "It's overwhelmingly young men... there's a sort of thrill seeking that men in that kind of 20 to 45 age range are drawn to."

• Bill [13:36]: "People are dominated by the need to get a winning ticket or a winning bet... we're losing the love of the game."

• Charlie Baker [18:30]: "I wish this had stayed in Las Vegas. I regret joining this bandwagon."

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling by Danny Font (Released January 2026)
• Gambling Addiction Hotline: 1-877-846-7369

Contact Information: Listeners were encouraged to share their experiences and opinions by calling or texting WNYC at 212-339-9221.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.