“The thesis of the book is that sports betting should be legal, but it was rolled out in a way that was heedless of... some of these negative externalities… it could have been safer. It still could be safer, whether through government regulation or self-regulation by the industry itself.”
~ Jonathan Cohen ~
This week’s guest on the Straight to the Point Talking Shop Podcast is Jonathan Cohen, Senior Program Officer at American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and the author of the newly released book, Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling.
Cohen talks about how his background as a board gamer and his PhD in history led him to explore gambling, first with a book on lotteries and now with sports betting following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that struck down PASPA, opening the door to legal sports betting.
Cohen discusses the reckless rollout of legalized sports betting, highlighting its rapid expansion and lack of initial regulation, drawing from his research involving lobbyists, gaming executives, bettors, and scholars.
Cohen argues that while sports betting should remain legal, stronger regulation is required to prioritize player safety and address social harms. He believes some states adopted industry-friendly policies, due to ignorance rather than malice.
One of his main critiques is the industry’s focus on growth, drawing parallels with the lottery’s unsustainable model — Cohen would like to see a "true accounting" of gambling’s economic and societal costs.
You can purchase Losing Big: America’s Reckless Bet on Sports Gambling on Amazon or directly from the publisher here.
Jon’s previous book, For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America, can be purchased here.
Why hire Steve Ruddock? Over the years, Steve has advised startups, national gambling companies, government agencies, and investment banks on a wide variety of topics.
Whether you’re looking for market research, want to raise your brand awareness, or are trying to develop responsible gaming strategies, Steve can help with honest, balanced, no-nonsense analysis of the situation.
Steve’s unique experience and insights are often the missing piece to the puzzle.
Reach out for more information: Straight to the Point Consulting.
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