The Rise of Sports Gambling

Women’s sports are growing and the gambling industry wants in. But what’s the real cost of all that new money?

In Part 1 of this two-part series, Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy welcome sports historian Dr. Victoria Jackson to unpack how sports betting went from something leagues opposed to something they actively promote. From betting apps and prediction markets to broadcasters with a financial stake in the action, they explore how gambling is reshaping the way we watch, cover and experience sports.

Together, they dig into the consequences for young fans, the harassment athletes face, and the responsibility leagues have to protect the people who make their businesses possible. As women’s sports enter a new era of investment and opportunity, can they chart a different path?

Plus, a look ahead to Part 2, when Saul Malek joins Abby and Julie to share his personal experience with gambling addiction. That will be this Friday 10/22.

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The article Julie referenced of longtime ESPN investigative producer Nicole Noren explains why the network’s embrace of sports betting ultimately led her to leave after 24 years.

READ: “I’m Not Going to Have Blood on My Hands”

https://www.cjr.org/the-interview/nicole-noren-espn-producer-quit-protest-sports-betting-gambling-addiction-draftkings-im-not-going-to-have-blood-on-my-hands.php

The athlete harassment is real, and women are taking a disproportionate amount of it. The NCAA’s online-abuse study found that 12% of verified abuse was directly tied to sports betting, and women’s basketball players received roughly three times more threats than men’s basketball players:https://www.ncaa.org/news/media-center-ncaa-calls-on-fans-social-media-platforms-to-curb-abuse-as-it-releases-first-online-harassment-study/

“This is our normal after every game.” We played Natasha Cloud talking about the abuse WNBA players receive from angry bettors and her call for leagues to do more to protect players.

MORE ON NATASHA CLOUD + BETTING HARASSMENT: https://frontofficesports.com/article/natasha-cloud-calls-engelbert-silver-address-sports-betting-threats/

Who actually wins on prediction markets? Julie referenced The Wall Street Journal’s investigation into prediction markets, which found profits heavily concentrated among a tiny fraction of sophisticated traders while most users lost money.

READ THE WALL STREET JOURNAL INVESTIGATION

https://www.wsj.com/finance/investing/polymarket-kalshi-betting-profits-prediction-markets-eb23ac11

And the leagues are starting to react. The NBA announced tighter restrictions around certain types of sports betting, while the WNBA was ultimately added to the leagues’ effort pushing for tougher action against bettors who threaten or harass athletes.

NBA BETTING RESTRICTIONS https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nba/2026/10/16/nba-sports-betting/3f77053e-c97b-11f1-aefb-abe4112d087e_story.html

WNBA + ATHLETE HARASSMENT EFFORT https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nba-players-unions-amend-betting-200106272.html

If gambling is becoming a problem for you or someone you love, there are places to start.

National Problem Gambling Helpline Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET

https://www.ncpgambling.org/help-treatment/about-the-national-problem-gambling-helpline/

Gamblers Anonymous Find in-person, virtual and telephone meetings.https://gamblersanonymous.org/find-a-meeting/

Gam-Anon Support for family members and loved ones affected by someone else’s gambling.https://gam-anon.org/

Follow Saul Malek’s work on gambling harm, prevention and recovery. https://saulmalek.com/  https://www.instagram.com/saulmalekspeaking/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/saulmalek/

If you or someone you know is in crisis or thinking about suicide, call or text 988. https://988lifeline.org/