The Dark Side of Sports Betting: How the House Keeps You Hooked

Sports betting has exploded across America, especially among young men. Online sportsbooks use bonuses, VIP programs, personalized offers, and customer data to keep users betting, while successful bettors can sometimes find themselves limited. The rise of sports betting also raises broader questions about gambling addiction, male loneliness, economic frustration, the decline of upward mobility, and the growing “vice economy.” The episode also looks at prediction markets, buy now, pay later services, and what role the federal government should play in protecting consumers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices