Is sports gambling a gateway drug?

[BTTA]

One of my favorite hyper summaries of current socioeconomics is "we are trading oil for dopamine." In other words, we are using this brief pulse of available carbon energy to create an economy of instant gratification, through triggered hormonal responses that make us feel good, but only for a moment. That moment is getting shorter and shorter.

This is what is setting up the "bet on everything and anything, anytime" apps. I'd venture that as recently as 20 years ago, the market for that would have been too small for success. Now, people are conditioned to need that dopamine hit, and the stage is set for the absurd.
Bet on anything that's publicly verifiable.

 

[denverpatsfan]

First alcohol in the grocery stores now gambling on your phone. Truly the end in nigh.

 

[Nunchucks]

The whole point of gambling is the house wins. It shouldn't be illegal, but the amount of advertising it gets and how it is intertwined with sports radio is sickening.

 

[Water Boy]

I do gamble from time to time playing the lottery. I'd like to win it just once. I don't think that's too much to ask.

 

[lancerman]

I have heard horror stories of a wife coming home only to find the county sheriff there to serve eviction papers.

The husband gambled the home away and intercepted all mail pertaining to losing the home. The wife had no idea that this was going on behind her back.

My oldest sisters first husband was in financial ruin from reckless decisions like gambling when they met. They married after dating 4 years and she got him all squared away and things were fine for a while. But, his gambling itch never went away. He some how weaseled money out of their finances to gamble and then met a Floozie who was a waitress at the country club who loved the high roller life like him.

They should learn from your big brain strategy of just not paying

 

[Joey007]

I don't think it should be illegal, but I do think it does more harm than good. I'm in no way surprised that gambling leads to more gambling, but as a lot of people on here have pointed out, addiction is a tough bastard, whether its drugs, alcohol or gambling. My main thing is talking to my kids about what addictive personalities are and trying to make sure they make smart decisions.

It’s really the same way I see drinking. Gambling is really the same.

Both can obviously be very enjoyable for people when done in moderation. But both very damaging once turned into an addiction.

 

[BennyBledsoe]

Anything can be a gateway. Then you need to look at circumstances, genetics...

My view is that anything addictive, anything considered a vice...is problematic to prohibit under penalty. What's more needed are places to get treatment and a reduction of the stigma surrounding addiction. Too many don't get even what help there is out there because they're afraid of the consequences.

Instead, it gets worse and ends up doing far more harm than if they had felt free and confident enough to seek help without fear of negative judgement.

 

[Triumph]

They should learn from your big brain strategy of just not paying

Cheaters never win.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

I am not interested in sports gambling ... I want to enjoy watching a game.
No need for the adrenaline rush ... but that has to be a part it ... right?
States make millions on smoking tax ... booze tax ... now gambling ... unreal.

1984

I hate the fact that sports radio has become a 24x7 commercial for sports betting.

 

[Dragda]

I have a knack for picking wrong. I don’t use the online sports betting. Only casinos and only in Vegas—not the Indian casino forty minutes down the road. I am a former homeless drug addict so I’m careful about what I do and how often. I can pick up a bad habit very quickly. It’s been decades since I got clean. I don’t want to get some new devastating habit. I worked too damn hard to get where I’m at. That said I dropped a few hundo on gambling at the trip to Vegas to see the Patriots lose to the Raiders.

 

[IsaiasFletcher]

I think there's definitely a discussion to be had about how modern society's focus on instant gratification ties into the rise of sports gambling and similar apps. It's kind of like we're chasing that dopamine rush in every aspect of life, right? If you're curious to delve deeper into this topic, you might want to check out some insights on nettcasino.com. They often have thought-provoking articles on gambling and its societal implications.

 

[kevan]

Life is a gateway drug

 

[Ivan]

Depends upon the individual, but I wouldn’t recommend it. I have had a number of friends pay dearly for it.

 

[slifersd]

Gambling is dangerous no matter what form it comes in. The fact that these sports leagues and networks are promoting it is disgusting and they should be ashamed. Nobody is asking them to be the arbiter of moral value but they are leading some folks down a dark path just for a few dollars.

 

[50-yard-line]

It's like many other things, it's the balance between personal freedom and society's desire to protect those who can't control themselves. I lean toward personal freedom, but I do understand it comes at a cost for many.

I hate that the STATE does it. To your point, there's one other factor: Integrity of the game.

 

[XLIX]

I mean, it is fair to prepare for increased gambling addictions - especially from the younger crowd. In many states, the 20-somethings who grew up on smart phones can now use those smart phones to literally have an entire casino in their pockets.

 

[Nehalem]

It starts with sports betting, next thing you know you are all in on crypto and sub-prime mortgages

 

[JohnJH]

In reality, what isn't a "Gateway Drug"?

 

[Brotherblues]

I don't think it should be illegal, but I do think it does more harm than good. I'm in no way surprised that gambling leads to more gambling, but as a lot of people on here have pointed out, addiction is a tough bastard, whether its drugs, alcohol or gambling. My main thing is talking to my kids about what addictive personalities are and trying to make sure they make smart decisions.

I'd hire you to talk to my kid but I gambled away all my hucklebucks.

 

[Brotherblues]

The beauty of the Dingleberry casino, was it showed me how bad I am at sports betting* without losing any actual money!!!

We get a lifeline every other week just so we can bust more often and spectacularly.