The Next Big Idea How a Mormon Journalist Became a Degenerate Gambler
40 snips
Mar 23, 2026 
McKay Coppins, an Atlantic staff writer who spent a year undercover in the sports-betting boom. He recounts why he took the $10,000 experiment, early wins that bred dangerous confidence, and the tech and app design that make betting frictionless. He also explores prediction markets, teen exposure, and how wagering reshapes fandom, athletes’ lives, and personal relationships.
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Bets Turn Fans Into Conspiracy-Prone Aggressors
- Gambling fuels conspiratorial and hostile reactions toward athletes and officials when bets lose, exposing players to threats and abuse.
- Tennis player Caroline Garcia received death threats and harassment from bettors after matches she lost, starting in her teens.
Family Noticed Hiding And Church App Checks
- McKay's family noticed secrecy and changes: he hid in pantries and cars to place bets and was caught checking apps at church.
- His wife confronted him and said she couldn't wait for the experiment to end, exposing its intrusion into family life.
Apps Are Designed To Be Irresistible Slot Machines
- Betting apps use best UX practices plus hooks like reload bonuses and no-sweat bets to keep users engaged and returning.
- McKay compared having the app to literally carrying a slot machine in your pocket and betting on obscure global events.