By John Q. Hosedrinker 
This year’s March Madness tournament is projected to see over $3 billion in bets, surpassing even the Super Bowl’s wagering totals. This surge in betting activity has, according to the NCAA, resulted in a significant increase in online harassment targeting players, coaches, and officials. The rise in online abuse is directly linked to the escalating stakes and the emotional investment of losing bettors. Sports psychologist Brett Woods offers insights into this concerning trend.
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The surge in sports betting has undeniably fueled a disturbing rise in online harassment targeting elite college athletes. This isn’t simply a matter of disgruntled fans reacting poorly to a loss; the scale and intensity of the harassment point to a much deeper, more systemic problem.
The sheer volume of gambling advertisements across all media platforms is a significant contributing factor. From ESPN’s dedicated betting app and TV show featuring “experts” offering betting advice, to the incessant bombardment of ads during sporting events and even in seemingly unrelated podcasts, the normalization and promotion of gambling are pervasive. This constant exposure, coupled with the inherent unpredictability of sports, creates a fertile ground for impulsive betting and subsequent aggressive online reactions. The fact that these ads are often seen as a positive for society, as some economic analyses suggest, entirely misses the immense negative consequences that are becoming readily apparent.
The “experts” featured in these advertisements are not working for the audience; their success relies on sustaining the house’s advantage. Their apparent success serves to lure more gamblers in, ultimately contributing to the problem of online abuse. The irony of this situation, where the people profiting the most from this system are actively contributing to the environment of abuse, is striking.
Social media platforms bear significant responsibility for failing to adequately moderate the hateful and abusive content directed at athletes. The constant invocation of “free speech” as a defense mechanism ignores the real-world harm inflicted. These platforms are not just neutral spaces; they are businesses profiting from engagement, and this toxic environment undeniably generates increased interaction and, therefore, more advertising revenue. This is fundamentally unsustainable.
The financial landscape for college athletes is also a relevant consideration. The rise of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals has undeniably turned many athletes into professionals, earning six and seven-figure salaries. However, this professionalization doesn’t exempt them from the ugliness of online harassment. While some argue that high-profile athletes should expect this type of professional pressure, that shouldn’t be the acceptable reality. Professionalization should bring with it improved support and safeguarding against this type of online abuse, not simply accepting it as an unavoidable part of the job.
The issue isn’t unique to the United States. Similar problems are surfacing in other countries with legalized sports betting, indicating this is a global challenge requiring a global solution. The online nature of this abuse transcends geographical boundaries, allowing harassment to come from anywhere in the world, making effective intervention even more difficult.
A significant portion of the harassment appears to disproportionately target female athletes, highlighting a disturbing intersection of misogyny and the gambling culture. This bias demands special attention and targeted strategies to address the unique aspects of online harassment faced by women in sports.
One might ask why there’s a difference between responsible gambling in Europe and the rampant abuse in America. It’s far more likely that the differences in advertising regulations, societal attitudes towards gambling, and the level of accessibility and promotion play a greater role than any inherent difference in how people gamble.
The underlying issue is the rampant commercialization of gambling and its unchecked expansion into every aspect of daily life, coupled with the lack of adequate protection for the individuals most affected by this industry’s growth. The sheer volume of advertising, the lack of effective regulation and moderation on social media, and the inherent vulnerabilities of young athletes caught in the crossfire create a toxic environment that demands immediate action from all stakeholders. This isn’t merely a matter of online insults; it’s a systemic issue that necessitates a multifaceted approach to protect these athletes and ensure a healthier relationship between sports and the gambling industry. The current path is clearly unsustainable, and real change is desperately needed before more harm is done.