Sports betting is a prevalent pastime among many American sports fans and sports enthusiasts around the globe.
In Georgia, sports betting is still technically illegal. However, apps like PrizePicks, DraftKings and FanDuel have loopholes in their legality, like using VPNs or signing up under a different state.
Founders Adam Wexler and Jay Deuskar of PrizePicks argue that their platform does not partake in gambling and is more of a game of skill, therefore it surpasses state constitutions that would otherwise outlaw the application.
Easier access to sports betting could be very harmful to sports fans, as the possibility of addiction can make it easier to wager money they may not have. Forbes Betting recently released a statistic showing how Americans on a whole wagered $119.85 billion in 2023, up by 27% from the previous year.
“I think it’s very damaging,” said Cade Steel, a junior history and philosophy major. “However, I don’t think it should be illegal per se. The restrictions around it should be greater, as the ads remind me of early cigarettes and pharmaceuticals, with flashy ads and stuff that seem to draw in younger people.”
This perspective seems to be shared among many Georgia legislators, with the issue becoming a hot topic over the summer. As betting has become more prevalent among Americans, the enjoyment of sports viewing could be affected.
“I don’t think sports betting has made a positive or negative impact on my viewing experience,” Steel said. “However, all the commercials for draft kings and other sportsbooks are incredibly predatory and annoying when played on things like the Redzone.”
Sports betting could also affect the viewership of games, as people will typically gravitate toward watching games that they have some sort of stake in.
“It doesn’t affect my enjoyment, but I definitely see how it could for other people,” said Cooper Treadaway, a junior business administration major. “I have friends who, if they don’t have their house down on collateral for the game, then they just won’t watch it.”
Many students raised several really important perspectives regarding the sports betting culture. Some examples expressed are the predatory advertising of betting and the dependence on betting for enjoyment.
Steel also raised many positive perspectives regarding sports betting, saying that it can be very interesting and engaging for those who partake in its responsibility.
Students seem to agree that sports betting and gambling in general might become very addictive, with many people in America gaining dependence on betting to further enjoy games. This is one of the perspectives that Georgia legislators use to argue against sports betting in Georgia. However, students and advocates for sports betting also argue that they should be allowed to express their freedom to do what they want with their money.
Apps like DraftKings are extremely prolific in America for sports betting, and it is important to keep an eye on Georgia’s legislative developments regarding the pastime. If legalized, these apps will likely emerge and gain traction extremely quickly, especially in colleges and universities like GCSU.
