Emmanuel Clase, Gilbert Arenas, and does the rise of sports play: does the culture of bets go beyond professional athletes?
The explosive growth of sports betting is starting to come up against professional sports, and not always in the right direction. While the sports industry is browning billions and regularly becomes part of the way people watch the games, more and more athletes find themselves in problems related to the game.
Take the Baseball Addes, for example. Recently, the league has placed the closer guards Emmanuel Clase and the launcher Luis Ortiz on paid leave. Ortiz would be considered as part of a game investigation linked to the propeller bets in the game. In the NBA, things are also warm while former star Gilbert Arenas has been arrested for suspicion of having driven illegal poker games. While the Strait Pistons Malik Beasley goalkeeper is also under the spotlight in relation to the propeller bets during the 2023-24 season.
Two years ago today, the United States Supreme Court rendered its decision in the NJ sports betting case (Gov. Murphy, et al. V. NCAA, NFL, NHL, NBA & MLB). Complete rule here – the most important sentence of the decision below: pic.twitter.com/mswr0heipx
– Ryan M. Rodenberg (@sportslawprof) May 14, 2020
These are part of a broader trend that has increased since the United States Supreme Court paved the way for states to legalize sports betting in 2018. This was a delicate subject in the league offices is now fully woven in the world of sport. And with the game becoming easier to access and less taboo, it raises a big question of whether the culture of Paris begins to take up professional athletes.
Why could some athletes be attracted to the sports game and should they be able to play?
“Interesting … But the problem of professional athletes who are involved in the illegal game is complex but not entirely new,” said Professor Andy Lane, an expert in sport psychology at Wolverhampton University in Readwrite. “The history of sport – in particular in boxing – exhibits long -standing ties between the game and attempts to influence the results, sometimes by organized crime.”
“From a psychological point of view, elite athletes often present features such as the search for high sensations, risk tolerance and competitiveness – features that are essential for sporting success but can also make them more likely to play behavior.” – Professor Andy Lane, University of Wolverhampton
The difference today is access. “The advent of online gaming platforms and mobile applications has deleted many barriers that have made such or more visible behavior,” said Professor Lane. Nowadays, elite athletes often have money to spend, downtime between games or seasons and a natural desire for adrenaline. With game applications right next to their phone, the temptation is still there in their pocket.
“The increased increases for all service and use data of the processing presented were observed between 2021-222222, following the implementation of legalized mobile sports betting in January 2022,” said the office of the state of the state of the drug addiction, which helps people to deal with problems and disorders related to the game.
Currently, 22% of Americans have a mobile sports betting account. This number increases to 48% for men aged 18 to 49, according to Siena College Research Institute.
Why is the sports game so popular and has increased temptation?
Dr. Greg Gomez, clinical director of Oasis Recovery in California, sees this reflected in his own therapeutic work: “The accessibility of game applications, combined with marketing, has somewhat normalized the game. It is particularly common in the world of sport.” He added: “If an athlete is out of season or injured, he can look for games of chance as a substitute for thrills.”
It is not only how easy it is to place a bet that attracts athletes. It has a lot to do with their state of mind. “Elite athletes often have traits such as high sensation research, risk tolerance and competitiveness,” noted Professor Lane. These features can fuel their success in sport, but also “make them more likely to play behaviors”.
“There are really not enough guarantees. Access to support and mental health education is still somewhat limited in the professional sports environment. ” – Dr Greg Gomez, Oasis Recovery clinical director
Dr. Gomez has echoed this, declaring: “There is a overlap between the playing behavior and the state of mind of many professional sports players. Many have a very competitive state of mind. It can also play in the game. ”
Lester Morse, director of Rehabs UK, offered another psychological dimension: “For individuals subject to dependence, the basic emotional state of the brain … does not work normally, leaving them a feeling of chronic dissatisfaction.” Morse warned that professional sport can become a temporary solution, but the rush fades. “The brain quickly strengthens tolerance … and games of chance, with its high issues and unpredictability, can become the next point of sale.”
“It is important to clarify: all those who manage have no dependence on the game,” said Morse. “The difference lies in self -control.” However, for those who suffer from dependence, the consequences can be devastating. “We often say in recovery:” If your game costs you more than money, you can have a problem. For an athlete, this cost is their career and its reputation, but dependence can even master this. »»
Is there enough support there?
Morse also criticizes the current societal responses: “Our society does not deal with success with success at all levels, and sport is no exception. We focus on symptoms: the game, instead of the cause. ”
Even with all risks, most experts agree that professional sports organizations do not really do enough to solve the problem. Dr. Gomez was frank: “There are really not enough guarantees. Access to support and mental health education is still somewhat limited in the professional sports environment. ”
Professor Lane has developed more: “Although certain guiding bodies have surveillance systems and education programs, it is questionable that they are sufficiently proactive or robust. Too often, interventions occur after damage to reputation has been caused. ”
He suggested that a “more psychological informed approach” is necessary – that which combines mental health support, digital literacy and significant education. “Confidential access to mental health professionals, workshops on financial and digital literacy, and a stronger modeling of the guiding bodies could all contribute to better prevention,” added Professor Lane.
The growing number of game scandals involving professional athletes seem to indicate a deeper and more systemic problem that is motivated by technology, culture and psychological factors that are often not checked. The intense competitive reader who helps athletes to succeed can also make them particularly vulnerable, and systems intended to protect them simply do not seem strong enough to manage it.
In Professor Lane’s words: “This is not an entirely new problem, but the landscape has changed considerably.” And unless sports organizations evolve their approach to match this new reality, the titles only get worse.
Star image: Grok
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