When the name of one of sports' biggest superstars surfaces in a gambling scandal, it's understandably in the news. Yes, the question of whether Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani approved a $4.5 million payment to an illegal bookmaker deserves every headline it's ever made. That being said, I have a hard time thinking about the “game integrity” argument as passionately as others who scream its importance.
The moment sports league and team owners became affiliated with legalized gambling, this particular talking point lost credibility for me. Did they really think that if they opened the door to the chicken coop, the fox would still eat the food? They knew that these types of cases not only could happen, but could happen. Still, the chase for the next dollar turned what was previously a bright solid line into a series of gray hyphens. They opened up more room for cheating because their worship of the almighty dollar was greater than their sincere desire to protect the integrity of the game.
Ohtani is not the only one to find himself caught up in a web of gambling allegations in recent weeks. An investigation into Temple University's men's basketball team began earlier this month after gambling watchdogs cited the program as a “suspicious gambling activity” during a 100-72 loss to the University of Alabama at Birmingham. And earlier this week, ESPN reported that Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter (who missed the past three games for what the team described as “personal reasons”) was under investigation “following multiple gambling fraud incidents over the past several months.” It was reported that he was receiving it.
even deeper
What are the legal revelations for Shohei Otani, a former interpreter facing gambling investigation?
Sports leagues and owners have no one to blame but themselves. They say the acceptance of legalized gambling is a response to the U.S. Supreme Court striking down the Amateur Sports Protection Act in 2018, which made it possible for states and U.S. territories other than Nevada to legalize. I would say that we have created an obstacle-free path to get involved in sports betting. However, their message loses credibility when considered alongside their decision to partner with and profit from their relationships with casinos and betting sites.
They can enact as many policies and protections as they want, and they do so through prominent signage in locker rooms and mandatory discussions with players, but at the same time owners and leagues partnering with It's hard for some people to be taken seriously. these entities. There's a “do as I say, not as I do” aspect to it, which further opens the door to potential cheating by players and those around them.
Free daily sports updates delivered straight to your inbox.sign up
Free daily sports updates delivered straight to your inbox.sign up
buy
If gaming integrity were truly a top priority, gambling and all activities related to it would be banned. period. There is no workaround to allow players to bet on sports other than their own. Don't like it? Please find another job. But instead of building virtual barriers to protect the game, sports leagues continue to open their doors and weapons.
For example, last year NFL owners voted to allow physical sportsbooks to operate inside stadiums. If that's not a mixed message, I don't know what is. The NBA similarly announced this month that it will feature live prop betting on NBA League Pass telecasts. The O'Jays' “For the Love of Money” will be included as the theme song.
But this issue goes deeper than point spreads and prop bets. This has to do with the impact legalized gambling is having on our relationships, and what that means for society as a whole.
Recently, Indiana Pacers standout Tyrese Haliburton said he was uncomfortable with the prevalence of sports betting topics on his social media accounts. The Athletic's James Boyd, “To half the world, I'm just helping them make money on DraftKings and stuff. I'm a prop.'' Two days later, Axios reported that disgruntled bettors and others reported that Cleveland Cavaliers coach JB Bickerstaff received threatening text messages after getting his phone number.
I also asked #pacers Star Tyrese Halliburton specifically talked about a conversation he had with a sports psychologist, and in his response he said sports betting consumes a lot of social media.
“To half the world, I'm just helping them make money on DraftKings and stuff. I'm a prop.” pic.twitter.com/6f2a0vEuiK
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) March 20, 2024
NFL players have complained for years that fantasy football participants view them as a commodity, more concerned about their physical and mental health than whether they can play in games. points out that they are quick to criticize subpar performance on social media, despite not consistently showing interest. If this is how people behave when their only financial investment is an upfront entry fee, then when someone is losing week by week, if not minute by minute due to in-game props. Imagine increasing anger and intensity.
Without exaggeration, can we honestly rule out the worst-case scenario where someone seeks retaliation against a player or coach after losing money that was not a business bet? The rift between people deepens, Is it really so far-fetched that the unthinkable can become reality in today's society, where some people are trying to normalize extreme behavior?
You don't have to look at social media for days to notice that anger is rising across the country. The smallest problems often generate the most anger. That instability has always existed among gamblers, but it has tended to be in the background. However, the convergence of legal gambling and social media has changed the game. Emotions and attitudes are shown on the face. They are more intense. It seems like it's not a question of if something bad will happen, but when.
The impact of sports betting on society is a major concern for Congressman Paul Tonko of New York, who this month announced significant changes to the way sports betting companies market to and interact with their customers. announced plans to introduce legislation to restrict He recently described the current landscape as a “largely unregulated Wild West environment,” and said it has remained that way since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
“We are dealing with a massive and growing public health crisis involving a known addictive product,” said Tonko, who was accompanied by members of Northeastern University's Institute for Public Health Advocacy. “We are now replacing Joe Camel with a celebrity spokesperson, just as we did when the tobacco industry was determined to be causing a public health situation.”
Still, there seems to be no turning back because money is involved. The infusion of cash from legal wagers goes beyond just leagues and media companies. The Athletic, which made BetMGM its exclusive sports betting partner in 2021, as well as cities and states. Middlesboro (Kentucky) News reported in October 2022 that more than $70 billion in tax revenue from legal gaming will be donated to state and local governments, and the industry employs more than 1 million people. reported.
While it's fair to argue that sports leagues, teams, and owners shouldn't be held responsible for the actions of individuals, it's also fair to point out the potential unintended consequences of trying to squeeze every penny out of every revenue source. Of course. I hope it's not the worst-case scenario, but no one should be surprised if it is.
(Photo of a mural depicting Shohei Otani painted by artist Robert Vargas at the Miyako Hotel in Los Angeles: Mario Tama/Getty Images)
