This week, we pull back the curtain on one of the most seismic shifts in American sports and culture: the explosive rise of legalized sports gambling. Once condemned as a corrosive menace to the integrity of competition, betting on games is now a pervasive part of how fans watch, interact with, and spend on sports. But at what cost?
Our guest, journalist Danny Funt, has spent years investigating the forces behind America’s betting boom. His new book, "Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling," lays bare how fantasy sports startups, professional leagues, and tech platforms helped normalize wagering — transforming billions of everyday fans into active gamblers.
Drawing on explosive interviews with former sportsbook executives, VIP hosts, lawmakers, and people who’ve seen their lives upended by addiction, Funt reveals how the industry is engineered to benefit the house and keep bettors coming back for more.
We’ll explore how a 2018 Supreme Court decision ignited this rapid expansion, how major leagues reversed decades-long opposition to gambling, and why the odds are stacked against individual bettors’ success.
Along the way, Danny explains the social, economic, and ethical consequences of marrying sports and wagering — from the relentless barrage of advertising to concerns about corruption, exploitation, and long-term harm.
PLUS: Your chance to win a copy of "Everybody Loses" in this week's trivia contest!
