Sport plays an essential role in society, both for players and spectators.
For a privileged few, sport is a full-time career that eases the financial burden on them and future generations. The median annual salary for a professional athlete, regardless of sport, is more than $94,000, with the high end peaking at more than $50 million, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
For spectators, sport builds community. Itโs common ground, a break from reality and above all a form of entertainment.
As the sport โ and the culture surrounding it โ has evolved โ gaming has become the cornerstone of fandom.
Gambling is widely considered a taboo subject; In the sports world, however, this controversial practice is more normalized than it has ever been. Just under half of American adults have placed a sports bet in the last year, according to a study. August 2 study from Drive Research.
However, there is still strong opposition who believes that immediate access to sites like FanDuel, Caesars or DraftKings kills the integrity and mission of the sport, according to a report. CNN article from February 10.
For junior Jensen Daly, itโs the first.
โWagering, or wagering, adds a new element to sports, making the games even more exciting,โ Daly said. “I’m skeptical about it because for some it’s an addiction, but for me it allowed me to fall in love with the sport again.”
In June, Vermont joined more than 30 other states when Gov. Phil Scott signed H.127, a piece of legislation that legalized sports betting in the state. However, for a school like UVM, with a population mostly out of statemany students had experience with sports betting before the bill was signed.
Betting sites allow users to bet on anything from professional football games to college field hockey, and with the college basketball season in full swing, students can get involved in more than ever before. their school sports.
In the past year alone, more than 67% of residents on Division I school campuses have placed a sports-related bet, while 41% have placed at least one bet on their school, according to a May 24 study. NCAA Study.
However, there is one key group that should stay away from this growing phenomenon: athletes and those involved in the programs themselves.
The NCAA and its officials have specifically imposed heavy penalties on athletes for gambling-related cases. Student-athletes may face athletic probation or lose their eligibility altogether, depending on NCAA Guidelines.
Freshman Tian Ragle, who works with Vermont’s Division I basketball program, is subject to the NCAA’s zero-tolerance rules.
โNow that I work for the team, I canโt bet on college hoops anymore,โ Ragle said. โI would choose to be a member of the basketball program over earning a few casual dollars each day, but it was an added bonus for me to watch the game that I enjoyed.โ
As fun and rewarding as sports betting can be, participants can become addicted. Like any form of gambling, it is an unreliable way to increase one’s financial position and should be treated as purely recreational.
Studies have shown that sports betting addiction is as serious as any form of gambling. Betting companies grossed more than $6 billion, a figure that has skyrocketed and is more than 15 times what it was in 2018, according to a February 10 study conducted by The Hill.
With so many sportsbooks and betting sites available, there are an equal amount of advertisements and resources warning users of the negative effects. These resources highlight the importance of creating positive betting-related habits that establish self-control, such as self-imposed limits and budgets.
Sports betting has introduced many new fans to the world of sports and brought back many familiar fans. If done in moderation, it can be seen as another element of fandom and brings spectators closer to the sport and its athletes.
Sports gambling expands the world of professional and collegiate sports and their respective markets while also adding to the fan experience.
