Readers respond to Question of the Week: Will gambling wreck all American sports?
Throughout time fixes have been a part of sports betting
People have heard of the 1919 White Sox baseball scandal and the “phantom punch” Ali delivered to Sonny Liston to win the championship. And now everyday people now have the luxury of betting from their phones.
The online casinos are sucking in bettors with false incentives of “credit” toward their next bet even if they lost their original bet. That's how they hook you until you've finally have given them all your hardearned money. You'll see ads on TV of everybody smiling when their bet wins but never the sadness when losing. Similar ads on TV are the pharmaceutical companys having products to cure any medical problem you have.
The TV ad people are jubilant exactly the same time the disclaimer is read regarding further harm the product could contain, all in the hope viewers are not paying attention to it.
— Lou Solo, Gardena
No, of course not
Gambling has been around since before professional sports began, and the only things that wreck it are gamblers who consistently lose, such as Pete Rose. Professional sports were not ruined by drugs or steroids. The same as President Biden, Ohtani is innocent until proven guilty. The income or loss from gambling is taxable. Ensure shadow gamblers cannot escape the IRS through loopholes!
— Steve Lucas, Van Nuys
Sports gambling
Sports gambling is the replacement revenue and fan chaser as cable subscriptions recede into darkness. The subscriptions paid for the large sports network contracts. Professional sports will take their cut of every dollar gambled and bring in gamblers of all ages.
That's exactly what the pros want and need. Fan$ with ca$h. Collateral damage will be the referees running for cover after a blown call at the end of a game.
— Bob Arrañaga, Long Beach
A detailed study should be done first
There should be a study to see how other states have handled legal sports betting. Learn from them on the benefits and regulations needed to succeed. — Richard Metzger, Porter Ranch