Things that would have been taboo in our society 10-15 years ago are now readily accepted. As we look back through history, this isn’t a new concept. A woman wearing a bikini (or something similar) on the beach in 1930s America would’ve been shunned, perhaps even arrested. This is obviously perfectly acceptable nowadays, to the point where bikinis are covering less and less each year.
Depending on what you’re discussing, progress can be very positive. Removing bias, speaking truth and providing access to wealth for all would be noble examples. There are other social norms however that, once let out of the box, can be dangerous and destructive. Greed gets in the way of what may or may not be right for the common good.
A great example of this would be the emergence of legal betting, especially as it relates to sports.
According to wallethub.com, Americans experienced over $100 billion in gambling losses last year. The gambling industry also made a record profit of $66.5 billion dollars. Couple this with the fact that Americans have more credit card debt than savings (on average), and you can see how this could bring potential disaster for many families in the coming years.
There was a time when the thought of Las Vegas having a sports team was unthinkable. How would you be able to separate sports betting from any of the teams in Las Vegas? There was simply too much risk and/or potential for games to be manipulated or players to be bought off in order to cover the spread. How times have changed.
Las Vegas now has two professional sports teams (Raiders, NFL and Golden Knights, NHL) with a third on the way (As, MLB). What was once considered unthinkable is now perfectly acceptable. There’s even an air of “why didn’t this happen sooner?”
It’s impossible to watch any sport on TV without getting bombarded with ads for online sportsbooks such as; FanDuel, DraftKings and MGM. Hollywood actors and famous sports figures are smiling and having a great time, living the good life, all because they placed a bet or two on the upcoming game. I have news for you, it’s all a farce.
They’re not smiling because they bet on the game. They’re happy because they’re already rich and they’re getting paid to be in the commercial. Their lives aren’t better for placing a bet on a game or winning their 5 game parlay. It’s entirely possible they’re way more miserable than you are, even though you have 1/100th of their wealth.
I see gambling for what it is. It’s another way for large corporations to attempt to have me part with the dollar in my pocket. They want me to attach the wager to my favorite sport or team so I have an emotional connection to the bet and the fact I want to win. I’m not falling for it.
Even with all its faults and bloated salaries, sports continues to be something that brings us all together. We’re either cheering for or against a particular team while we watch in wrapped anticipation with our friends and family. It’s fun, free and the only emotions elicited are joy or sadness depending on how your team does.
Adding a monetary emotion into the equation not only muddies the waters, it removes the childhood joy you associate with the sport or team you’re watching.
Stop watching videos of Dave Portnoy winning $100K at the Kentucky Derby. He can afford it. He’s rich. Losing or winning $100K isn’t going to matter to his bottom line. Your bottom line is most likely different, which would make you normal.
I gotta run, the game’s about to start.
Who’s favored to win?
I have no idea.
