Is gambling the reason we have pro sports?
Summary
Hosts Waylon Wong and Darian Woods interview David Vecchino, author of *Over Under*, who argues that gambling fueled the rise of professional American sports rather than merely accompanying it. Vecchino explains how betting drove fan engagement and revenue, leading to the modern boom following the 2018 Supreme Court decision. The discussion covers the tension between league integrity concerns and current profitability, alongside issues like addiction and player harassment.
Topics discussed
Intro: World Cup betting and history of US sports gambling
Sponsors: Edward Jones and Capella University
Student surveys reveal high betting participation and problem awareness
How gambling fueled the rise of professional sports like baseball
League fears of fixed games vs. modern popularity despite scandals
Rising revenues, addiction, and harassment of athletes
Gambling as native to sports and the loss of communal fandom
Credits and sponsors: Mint Mobile and LeafFilter
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