6 ms·

It's utterly incomprehensible to me that networks are allowed to advertise and then insert gambling content into their broadcasts... you think we would have lea

It's utterly incomprehensible to me that networks are allowed to advertise and then insert gambling content into their broadcasts... you think we would have learned our lesson with cigarette ads. And the saddest part, when I see Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, who can't possibly need the money shilling BetMGM, my heart breaks

milsorgen 4y ago
I happen to work with some problem gamblers. I find it a detestable practice but I know that's wrong of me to say, I shouldn't judge. What I find interesting in this context is that they all follow sports to a pretty high degree but never once have they talked of betting on sports. Aside from actual casinos and the odd scratcher the main draw from what I see is online operations trading in Bitcoin. From site to CashApp to bank account- it appears to be quite a frictionless experience. People who had never heard of Bitcoin outside the random news story, suddenly are moving thousands of dollars of crypto around and my biggest fear is that gambling will become ever more normalized. I've seen drug addicts maintain more of a semblance of normalcy than I've seen from some of these gamblers. Magical thinking and compulsion, it's really quite jarring to see. Gambling in my opinion tends to insidiousness and perhaps sports betting isn't as bad but I'd rather not tempt people with any of it including lottery. The house always wins.
Ensorceled 4y ago
> when I see Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, who can't possibly need the money shilling BetMGM, my heart breaks Years ago, Gretzky gave an interview about doing promotions and he said he initially refused doing any promotions but that his agent convinced him he could just promote products he actually used and liked. I think of that interview every time I see him on a garish gambling poster that looks like something you would see on the Atlantic City boardwalk.
- jliptzin 4y ago
  He might need the money…I’ve seen plenty of people blow it all on stupid things who should have been set for life. But in any case it is sad.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
- vintermann 4y ago
  > his agent convinced him he could just promote products he actually used and liked. And of course, there's nothing stopping casinos from offering a two-tier system, like how Scientology used to do in Hollywood: the few stars they needed for promotion got to play luxury dianetics, whereas everyone else got milked dry.
jbm 4y ago
Watching hockey is really awful as a result of sports betting. When I moved back to Canada from Japan, I wanted to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs with my kids. (I used to watch Hockey online with my wife but after we had kids, we cancelled the service) I bought an online package from Sportsnet and was immediately horrified at the number of gambling-related ads. It's not that it was a new concept; horse race betting is a common activity in Japan, and I even remembered a kid from grade 5 proudly betting on some Lotto Quebec games (Mise O Jeu) when I was growing up. However, I never saw the stuff advertised so blatantly in a media that is so likely to be consumed by families. I resent it, especially since the NHL package in Japan included none of this. I cancelled Sportsnet subscription after the local team ended their playoff run, and will never subscribe again. I might go watch a local WHL game but I think professional sports are a cesspool.
jrumbut 4y ago
What kills me is baseball, where for many years the MLB had a clear and unambiguous policy: no betting on baseball. Now every game has an official "betting on baseball" sponsor (in various forms) but they still have people on lifetime bans. It feels hypocritical. For sports like horse racing, boxing, and golf where they are more adult oriented and closely linked to gambling that is one thing. But baseball, football, basektball, and hockey are supposed to be wholesome entertainment but every broadcast feels so seedy now.
pubby 4y ago
I know people who have gone gambling with Gretzky, and Gretzky actually gambles a lot. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if his biggest living expense is gambling. Even the rich lose to gambling. See Michael Jordan, for example.

milsorgen 4y ago

I happen to work with some problem gamblers. I find it a detestable practice but I know that's wrong of me to say, I shouldn't judge. What I find interesting in this context is that they all follow sports to a pretty high degree but never once have they talked of betting on sports. Aside from actual casinos and the odd scratcher the main draw from what I see is online operations trading in Bitcoin. From site to CashApp to bank account- it appears to be quite a frictionless experience. People who had never heard of Bitcoin outside the random news story, suddenly are moving thousands of dollars of crypto around and my biggest fear is that gambling will become ever more normalized. I've seen drug addicts maintain more of a semblance of normalcy than I've seen from some of these gamblers. Magical thinking and compulsion, it's really quite jarring to see. Gambling in my opinion tends to insidiousness and perhaps sports betting isn't as bad but I'd rather not tempt people with any of it including lottery. The house always wins.

Ensorceled 4y ago

> when I see Wayne Gretzky, the greatest hockey player of all time, who can't possibly need the money shilling BetMGM, my heart breaks Years ago, Gretzky gave an interview about doing promotions and he said he initially refused doing any promotions but that his agent convinced him he could just promote products he actually used and liked. I think of that interview every time I see him on a garish gambling poster that looks like something you would see on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

jliptzin 4y ago
He might need the money…I’ve seen plenty of people blow it all on stupid things who should have been set for life. But in any case it is sad.
deleted 4y ago
[deleted]
vintermann 4y ago
> his agent convinced him he could just promote products he actually used and liked. And of course, there's nothing stopping casinos from offering a two-tier system, like how Scientology used to do in Hollywood: the few stars they needed for promotion got to play luxury dianetics, whereas everyone else got milked dry.

jbm 4y ago

Watching hockey is really awful as a result of sports betting. When I moved back to Canada from Japan, I wanted to watch the Stanley Cup Playoffs with my kids. (I used to watch Hockey online with my wife but after we had kids, we cancelled the service) I bought an online package from Sportsnet and was immediately horrified at the number of gambling-related ads. It's not that it was a new concept; horse race betting is a common activity in Japan, and I even remembered a kid from grade 5 proudly betting on some Lotto Quebec games (Mise O Jeu) when I was growing up. However, I never saw the stuff advertised so blatantly in a media that is so likely to be consumed by families. I resent it, especially since the NHL package in Japan included none of this. I cancelled Sportsnet subscription after the local team ended their playoff run, and will never subscribe again. I might go watch a local WHL game but I think professional sports are a cesspool.

jrumbut 4y ago

What kills me is baseball, where for many years the MLB had a clear and unambiguous policy: no betting on baseball. Now every game has an official "betting on baseball" sponsor (in various forms) but they still have people on lifetime bans. It feels hypocritical. For sports like horse racing, boxing, and golf where they are more adult oriented and closely linked to gambling that is one thing. But baseball, football, basektball, and hockey are supposed to be wholesome entertainment but every broadcast feels so seedy now.

pubby 4y ago

I know people who have gone gambling with Gretzky, and Gretzky actually gambles a lot. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if his biggest living expense is gambling. Even the rich lose to gambling. See Michael Jordan, for example.