The New Yorker Radio Hour How Betting Took Over Sports
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Jan 20, 2026 Danny Funt, a journalist and author of "Everybody Loses," dives into the explosive growth of sports gambling in America. He reveals how betting has moved from the fringes to a $150 billion market, impacting even young children. Funt discusses the predatory nature of the industry, the integrity risks from recent scandals, and how sportsbooks exploit consumer habits. He also highlights troubling trends in youth gambling and calls for renewed regulation to protect vulnerable players in this rapidly evolving landscape.
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Industry Mindset Is Predatory
- The industry views customers as revenue sources to be maximized, not protected. Executives openly describe their goal as slowly bleeding customers dry.
Personal Betting Habit
- Danny Funt admits he bets occasionally at Lakers games, especially when alone and bored. Repeated reporting on how hard it is to win has made him cut back recently.
From Casino Amenity To Mobile Core Product
- The sportsbook has become a sophisticated online product with thousands of betting options. Ninety-five percent of betting now happens on phones rather than in casinos.
