The Russell Moore Show McKay Coppins on the Hidden Dangers of Online Sports Gambling
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Apr 29, 2026 
McKay Coppins, an Atlantic staff writer who spent a year and $10,000 investigating sports betting, shares his personal experiment. He describes how easy online betting became addictive. The conversation covers gambling’s effects on attention, relationships, faith, and how technology and new bet types reshape sports and society.
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Phones Turn Gambling Into A Daily Compulsion
- Online sports betting removed previous friction making gambling widespread and socially normalized, shifting it from regulated locations to pocket-sized apps.
- Coppins argues this accessibility fuels compulsion, redirects attention to money-making, and erodes time and relationships.
Early Wins Are The Most Dangerous Hook
- Winning early is a major driver of continued gambling because it creates false confidence and commitment to future play.
- Coppins and experts note the worst thing that happens to many gamblers is that they win initially, which propels deeper risk-taking.
First Win Hooked Attention And Confidence
- Coppins' first NFL betting night: random bets, stayed up past midnight, and won about $20, which convinced him he was skilled.
- That initial small win dramatically increased his emotional investment and led to fantasizing about using winnings for home projects.
