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Television networks and sports betting have become increasingly intertwined in recent years.
With the legalization of sports betting in states across America, once considered taboo, betting lines and over/unders are rarely mentioned or even mentioned on the air.
That slippery slope took an unfortunate turn Sunday. During ESPN Betting Segment With betting analyst Erin Dolan and host Rece Davis.
Dolan had just finished explaining why he is selecting the under for Sunday’s NCAA Tournament second-round game between Northwestern and UW.
Rhys-Davies then replied: “Some people might call this gambling, gambling…I think the way you’ve sold this, what it is, is a risk-free investment.”
Um oh. There is a problem with that statement. Even if Davis didn’t mean it literally (which seems like a safe assumption), anyone who knows anything about gambling ethics knows that it’s a statement he can’t make. I am.
That’s because there is no “risk-free” aspect of sports betting. Risk is assumed in even the most lopsided matchups, and even an underpick with odds of -110 is not entirely risk-free.
In a world where sports betting has become commonplace, it can be problematic for a personality on a national sports network to tell people there is no risk in betting. It’s even worse considering ESPN has a sportsbook named ESPN Bet.
There are very strict guidelines when it comes to gambling advertising, and a key element is the recognition that all bets involve risk. Links to gambling addiction hotlines and long disclaimers are also common.
Davis addressed the comments about X after the clip was shared on sports media website Awful Announcing.
“With ESPNBet’s picks taking hits yesterday, I joked on this morning’s CollegeGameDay segment that the advice was like a ‘risk-free investment.’ As we all know, there is no such thing. There are clearly risks. Although I am not a gambler, I strongly advise anyone who participates in gambling to do so with caution, caution, prudence, financial and personal responsibility, and to never go overboard. Sports are unpredictable. Gambling is difficult. So let’s agree to manage financial risks properly. I think everyone realizes that my comment was a joke. Just to clarify. ”
Many sports betting analysts and professional bettors also slammed the comment.
“Barstool: :Completely mocks responsible gambling: ESPN: Hold a beer.” Dustin Gawker wrote.
“Call me old-fashioned, but I preferred when the world’s largest sports media company didn’t call sports gambling a ‘risk-free investment.’ Joe Pompliano wrote.
“I’ve been in this field for a while, but this is my first time making a ‘risk-free investment’. ” CBS’ Todd Fuhrman wrote:
ESPN has not commented on the matter.
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