Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Buzzsprout, online, or search ‘The Stewardology Podcast’ in your favorite podcast app.

 

Sports Betting Is Booming…But at What Cost?

With the Super Bowl approaching, sports betting once again takes center stage. For many, it begins as harmless entertainment, but for others it becomes something far more consuming. In this episode, we examine the growing sports betting industry and ask an important question: What effects does sports betting actually have on individuals, families, and society?

 

The Rise of Sports Betting

Sports betting advertising exploded after legalization, peaking in 2021 at nearly $2 billion in ad spending. While total volume has declined since then (down 9 percent overall, with TV ads down 17 percent and 44 percent from peak levels), the industry remains massive. Major players like DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM continue to dominate the landscape.

At the same time, public perception is shifting. Across demographic groups, more Americans now view sports betting as harmful to society rather than beneficial, according to recent Pew Research findings.

 

The Effects of Sports Betting

Effects on the Individual

Sports betting often carries serious personal consequences, including:

  • Addiction and mental health struggles
  • Financial distress and mounting debt
  • Physical health issues such as sleep deprivation
  • Increased substance abuse

Helpline calls related to gambling addiction jumped 45 percent in 2023, and state bankruptcy filings tied to gambling increased 28 percent over four years.

Effects on the Family

The damage rarely stays isolated to the individual. Families often experience:

  • Strained or broken relationships
  • Increased family conflict, neglect, or even violence
  • Emotional and relational absence caused by stress, obsession, and time spent gambling

Effects on Society and the Economy

At a broader level, sports betting contributes to:

  • A growing public health concern
  • Increased crime linked to debt and desperation
  • Regulatory challenges as governments struggle to contain the harm
  • Erosion of sports integrity through scandals, game fixing, and manipulation

Impact on Consumers

  • 55 percent of U.S. consumers report betting on sports
  • 1 in 5 Americans bets at least monthly
  • Young men ages 18–34 are the primary target audience
  • 45 percent of regular bettors fall into moderate or high risk categories for problem gambling

Behavioral research shows that increased advertising raises betting likelihood by 20–30 percent, while time limited and humorous ads increase impulsive betting.

 

Is Sports Betting Good for Society?

In short, no.

Can it ever be harmless fun? Perhaps in isolated cases. Some individuals may exercise personal restraint and avoid immediate financial or relational harm. However, participation still supports an industry that profits from addiction, targets the financially vulnerable, and damages families and communities.

 

What Does the Bible Say About Gambling?

Scripture does not explicitly prohibit or endorse gambling. However, biblical wisdom consistently warns against it.

Key principles include:

  • Gambling conflicts with the biblical work ethic
  • It encourages reliance on chance rather than God’s sovereignty
  • It promotes a “something for nothing” mindset
  • Scripture warns against greed, covetousness, and poor stewardship

Larry Burkett observed that gambling often targets those who can least afford to lose, becoming an addiction that devastates families. Others note that gambling undermines Jesus’ commands to love God and neighbor by exploiting weakness and misfortune.

 

Is Sports Betting a Sin?

This question does not lend itself to a simple yes or no.

If gambling becomes addictive, damages relationships, or causes financial harm, then yes—it is sinful for that person. Even if it does not produce immediate harm, wisdom still urges caution. The Bible’s overarching ethic does not encourage gambling, and many sinful behaviors often accompany it, including:

  • Greed and covetousness
  • Irresponsibility and poor stewardship
  • Lack of trust in God
  • Laziness and exploitation
  • Compulsive behavior and addiction

So even if it may not always be sinful, the better question remains: Is it wise?

 

A Word on Sports Betting Specifically

Sports betting is uniquely dangerous because it gamifies gambling, making it highly addictive, especially for younger audiences. It can set individuals on a path of long term financial struggle and raises serious concerns about the integrity of athletic competition. Recent arrests and scandals related to game fixing only reinforce these concerns.

 

What Should Happen in Society?

Should gambling be outlawed or heavily regulated? Opinions differ. While gambling is economically harmful, government intervention may not be the ultimate solution. Instead, education, awareness, and cultural clarity about its dangers may be more effective in the long run.

 

Application: Choose Wisdom Over Permission

Instead of asking, “Is sports betting allowed?” a better question is:
“Is this wise, and does it help me love God and love my neighbor?”

Even if you believe you can participate without immediate personal harm, consider what your participation supports. Sports betting fuels an industry that profits from addiction, strains families, and erodes trust in institutions meant for enjoyment rather than exploitation.

As stewards, we are called to:

  • Guard our hearts against greed
  • Protect our households from harmful habits
  • Consider how our spending impacts others
  • Choose restraint where culture celebrates excess

The application is simple but challenging: choose wisdom over appetite.
Not everything legal is good. Not everything permissible is beneficial. In a culture normalizing gambling, the countercultural Christian response may be to abstain, not out of fear or legalism, but out of love, stewardship, and foresight.

 

 

Next Steps

 

Material presented is property of The Stewardology Podcast, a ministry of Life Financial Group and Life Institute. You may not copy, reproduce, modify, create derivative works, or exploit any content without the expressed written permission of The Stewardology Podcast. For more information, contact us at Contact@StewardologyPodcast.com or (800) 688-5800.

The topics discussed in this podcast are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations.  Investing and investment strategies involve risk including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.

Securities and advisory services offered through GWM, Inc Member FINRA/SIPC