The Effect of Sports Betting

Sports betting has exploded in popularity over the years, becoming a major part of modern-day sports. With its rapid growth it comes with questions about how gambling influences not only fans and leagues but players as well.

Platforms like ReBet and Kalshi have introduced new ways for younger users to engage in betting, which raise additional concerns about kids getting hooked and the extended pressure on athletes. Rebet operates under a “sweepstakes” model which just means you are not technically placing real-money bets on each game like on a normal sports book. Instead, you purchase that virtual currency with real money, then you put the virtual cash on your picks, which allows you to avoid many of the regulations governing traditional sports books. Meanwhile Kalshi classifies itself as a federally regulated event-contracts exchange under the Commodity Futures Trading Commission permits users as young as 18 to trade contracts on sports outcomes. They are basically saying it’s a stock market for sports.

“When I downloaded Rebet there has been a lot of up and downs, but I do feel the games become more interesting” senior Dominic Katanic said.

These apps use certain loopholes to allow the younger generations to start betting, making it more accessible and heavily marketed, highlighting its impact on sports culture.

For athletes, one of the biggest concerns is the increased pressure created by gamblers who have money riding on individual performances. Social media has made this even more intense. Players often receive harsh messages from angry betters blaming them for a missed shot, turnover, strikeouts, or any moments that affect a bet. Recently, star guard Jimmy Butler from the Golden State Warriors was chewed out while walking on the street for not scoring enough points.  Some athletes have spoken publicly about mental strain this creates, explaining that criticism feels different when it ties directly to someone losing money.

  Brooklyn Nets forward Michael Porter Jr explains how even when he plays well or poorly, he feels like he is “messing up some people’s money,” and how players “really do get death threats.” Former NFL kicker Graham Gano also had something to say on the issue, stating “Ever since sports betting started, I get people telling me to kill myself every week because I’ll hit a kick that loses them money.”  Gambling has added a new wave of threats and hate toward players from angry betters. Making athletes feel more like a statistical tool rather than people.

Beyond athletes, the culture of sports is shifting. For many fans, watching games now comes with constant betting odds, live wages, and promotion for sports books. Some argue that this boosts engagement, while others worry that it changes the focus from the sport itself to the payouts attached to it.

In the end, sports betting is not going away. The challenge moving forward is finding a balance that protects the integrity of players but also the well-being of the athletes, while still allowing fans to enjoy the growing betting industry responsibly.