Thu 10/16 @ noon
The explosion of sports gambling, and its accessibility in a way gambling has previously not been, is disturbing. Previously, you’d have to go to a casino to gamble away your paycheck, or go to a store to buy a lottery ticket. Now you can gamble at home, or anywhere actually, including on an app your phone. And while most people know deep down that winning the lottery or casino gambling is a game of chance, many sports fans are of the mindset that they have knowledge that can give them an edge in gambling on games.
In 2018 the Supreme Court struck down the federal prohibition on sports gambling, and states, including Ohio, quickly legalized it, smelling a new source of revenue that wouldn’t require raising taxes. Now, we’re blanketed with advertising for sports betting and all the different aspects of sports you can bet on. Now there are indications that there could be steep social and personal costs as the ease of sports betting leads to more problem betting and gambling addiction.
Alex Shephard, senior editor of The New Republic, will address the scope of the issue when he speakers at the Akron Roundtable about “Gambling Is Everyone’s Problem Now.” The event takes place at Quaker Station on the University of Akron campus. Go here for tickets.