Sports Betting Had a Huge First Month in Massachusetts. Now What?

April 21, 2023 WBUR Radio Boston recently interviewed Jay Zagorsky, Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy, and Law about the future of sports betting in Massachusetts after a successful first month. While sports betting has become a popular trend in the U.S., there are risks associated with whether this has made athletes lives more difficult. In the second month, experts predicted that bets would be half of what they were in the first month, causing concerns about impulse control and funding. Zagorsky explains that, “One of the big ideas here is something called responsible gambling. And the question is, in the quest for revenue, have we gone too far? Have we opened up a Pandora’s box of problems ranging from excessive pressure on athletes to a sort of a quest going for every last dime of tax revenue.” While sports betting has gained attention, there are dangers that come with this, including the dehumanizing effects this has on athletes and the aftermath of gambling.