The Penalty Box
October 20, 2020 at 9:53 p.m.
By Roger Grossman-
I am morally opposed to the concept because it tends to attract the dark underbelly of society.
The only thing I will bet on are things I am in control of. For example: I will bet a can of any non-alcoholic beverage to anyone who wants to take me on in a free throw contest. At age 52, not playing on any sort of adult rec league team, I am still good for at least 8 out of 10 at the line.
I have been known to engage in a friendly “what do you give me if I (insert some small act here)” wager every now and then. We’re talking about something like a can of pop or an bowl of ice cream.
Even then, I may do one bet a year.
It’s not for making money, it’s for the fun of the moment and the memories for years to come after it.
I have been watching sports on TV a lot (because I can now!) and every commercial break has an ad for some sort of wagering operation. Fan Duel, Draft Kings, BetMGM, Caesars—all vying for your attention and your hard-earned cash.
They are promoting betting opportunities that are so easy to get into. They all have in-game, in real-time side betting ‘games’. Will there be a home run in this game? Will there be a double play? Will the kicker make this field goal?
So what’s the problem? Why is Roger waving flags of concern for something he admittedly doesn’t partake in? It is legal after all.
The September numbers are in.
According to the PlayUSA Network, Hoosiers bet over $200 million through Indiana’s sportsbooks last month.
$200 million, in one month, in Indiana—the 17th most populous state in America.
I’ll give you a couple of minutes to let that sink in.
Officially, the number is $207.5 million in September, which is $20 million higher than the previous record set back in February. Last September, when sports betting was new to Indiana, $35 million was generated.
The other, in my opinion, sobering stat here is the number 3—that’s the number of states who have higher gambling totals than Indiana.
3!
PlayUSA says they expect their income to grow this week as the Big Ten finally gets its season off the ground.
For the record, the state gets $1.4 million of that $207.5 million in tax money.
And, as I predicted when it was instituted, professional and college teams were not shy about building close relationships with these sites. PointsBet is a sponsor of the Indianapolis Colts.
With the ease of placing wagers on your phone or mobile devise and the number of side bets and other little events you can get in on the action for, can’t you imagine how hard it will be for someone to turn off that faucet when they should?
To use a fishing analogy, smaller bait hooks smaller fish. Smaller bets hook more people who don’t really have the disposable income to be playing in such a dangerous game. It is, in fact, a gateway ‘drug’. It starts with a small shovel of dirt, and it your effort to dig your way out you only dig deeper.
Like the old saying goes, “the first step to getting out of the hole you’re is to put down the shovel.”
Gambling, drinking, smoking—they are hard to get out of once you are in them. I have seen it in too many people and so have you.
The Hoosier State is chest-deep in it now. If nothing else, state government is counting on the revenue.
And I will continue sitting in my favorite chair, watching games and wondering if I am the only person in Indiana who doesn’t have action on something this weekend.
I’m not betting on it.
I am morally opposed to the concept because it tends to attract the dark underbelly of society.
The only thing I will bet on are things I am in control of. For example: I will bet a can of any non-alcoholic beverage to anyone who wants to take me on in a free throw contest. At age 52, not playing on any sort of adult rec league team, I am still good for at least 8 out of 10 at the line.
I have been known to engage in a friendly “what do you give me if I (insert some small act here)” wager every now and then. We’re talking about something like a can of pop or an bowl of ice cream.
Even then, I may do one bet a year.
It’s not for making money, it’s for the fun of the moment and the memories for years to come after it.
I have been watching sports on TV a lot (because I can now!) and every commercial break has an ad for some sort of wagering operation. Fan Duel, Draft Kings, BetMGM, Caesars—all vying for your attention and your hard-earned cash.
They are promoting betting opportunities that are so easy to get into. They all have in-game, in real-time side betting ‘games’. Will there be a home run in this game? Will there be a double play? Will the kicker make this field goal?
So what’s the problem? Why is Roger waving flags of concern for something he admittedly doesn’t partake in? It is legal after all.
The September numbers are in.
According to the PlayUSA Network, Hoosiers bet over $200 million through Indiana’s sportsbooks last month.
$200 million, in one month, in Indiana—the 17th most populous state in America.
I’ll give you a couple of minutes to let that sink in.
Officially, the number is $207.5 million in September, which is $20 million higher than the previous record set back in February. Last September, when sports betting was new to Indiana, $35 million was generated.
The other, in my opinion, sobering stat here is the number 3—that’s the number of states who have higher gambling totals than Indiana.
3!
PlayUSA says they expect their income to grow this week as the Big Ten finally gets its season off the ground.
For the record, the state gets $1.4 million of that $207.5 million in tax money.
And, as I predicted when it was instituted, professional and college teams were not shy about building close relationships with these sites. PointsBet is a sponsor of the Indianapolis Colts.
With the ease of placing wagers on your phone or mobile devise and the number of side bets and other little events you can get in on the action for, can’t you imagine how hard it will be for someone to turn off that faucet when they should?
To use a fishing analogy, smaller bait hooks smaller fish. Smaller bets hook more people who don’t really have the disposable income to be playing in such a dangerous game. It is, in fact, a gateway ‘drug’. It starts with a small shovel of dirt, and it your effort to dig your way out you only dig deeper.
Like the old saying goes, “the first step to getting out of the hole you’re is to put down the shovel.”
Gambling, drinking, smoking—they are hard to get out of once you are in them. I have seen it in too many people and so have you.
The Hoosier State is chest-deep in it now. If nothing else, state government is counting on the revenue.
And I will continue sitting in my favorite chair, watching games and wondering if I am the only person in Indiana who doesn’t have action on something this weekend.
I’m not betting on it.
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