TV networks and sports betting have become increasingly intertwined in recent years.
ESPN College GameDay host Rece Davis has been catching hell after comments he made at the end of a segment during Sunday’s show. After Erin Dolan shared her picks for the slate of March Madness games, Davis joked they were “risk-free investments” based on the arguments Dolan made to support her decisions.
Rece Davis said: “Some would call this wagering, gambling … I think the way you’ve sold this, I think what it is, is a risk-free investment.”
A ton of fans did not like that he said that as anybody who has done any type of gambling knows there is always a risk. Anyone who knows anything about gambling ethics knows that’s a statement he can’t make.
There isn’t a single aspect of sports betting that is “risk-free.”
You cannot even assume that the most lopsided matchup is risk-free since anything can happen once these players take to the court or field.
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Davis responded via X after his remarks received backlash on social media that he was merely joking while acknowledging there are risks that come with gambling and encouraged those who participate to do so responsibly.
“During a segment this morning on @CollegeGameDay, due to @ESPNBet picks hitting yesterday, I joked the advice was more like ‘risk-free investing,’” Davis wrote in a thread. “As we all know, such a thing does not exist. Obviously, there are risks. Though I’m not a gambler, I strongly encourage those who do partake, do so with prudence, care, caution, fiscal and personal responsibility, and never over-extend. Sports are unpredictable. Wagering is tricky. So let’s agree to manage monetary risks appropriately. I’m sure most recognized my comment was tongue-in-cheek. Just to clarify.”
One of the greatest sports betting events of the year is March Madness. According to Forbes, the American Gaming Association predicted that about 68 million Americans will place bets on the tournament. Additionally, the AGA predicted that bets above $15.5 billion would be made.
Gambling On Sports Has Become Easier Than It Has Ever Been
Back in the day, you would have to be in a casino to get your sports betting fixes, but those days are long gone as you have sites like Prize Picks, FanDuel, and DraftKings that allow you to do these things from the comfort of your home and on your phone.
In a world where sports betting has become commonplace, a personality on a national sports network telling people there’s no risk to a bet can be problematic especially when considering ESPN has a sportsbook branded with its name, ESPN Bet.
Being able to bet whenever and wherever may pave the way for more gambling addicts than we have ever seen in history.
Links to gambling addiction hotlines and lengthy disclaimers are common practice, but it is quite impossible to get away from sports betting no matter what you do.
Also Read: PHOTO: ESPN’s Molly Qerim Breaks The Internet After Posing In Thirst Trap See-Through Dress
