Washington Post Criticized Legal Sports Betting as "Terrible Bet"

The newspaper's sports department was among the casualties in a recent round of layoffs.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The Washington Post, a prominent newspaper based in the nation's capital, has been a vocal critic of the legalization of sports betting across the United States. In a 2024 editorial, the Post's editorial board argued that legal sports betting has led to an increase in problem gambling and associated societal harms. The newspaper's sports department was among the casualties in a recent round of layoffs that saw a third of the Post's staff let go.

Why it matters

The Washington Post's stance on sports betting highlights the ongoing debate around the societal impacts of the industry's expansion. As more states have legalized sports betting in recent years, concerns have been raised about the potential for increased addiction and financial distress among vulnerable populations. The Post's editorial position reflects these concerns and suggests that the newspaper sees the legalization of sports betting as a net negative for the country.

The details

In its 2024 editorial, the Washington Post Editorial Board criticized the legalization of sports betting, arguing that it has "delivered societal harms to vulnerable people." The board claimed that problem gambling and addiction have risen alongside the increased access to sports betting, leading to financial distress, bankruptcies, and even suicides. The editorial also accused sportsbooks of targeting "high rollers who lose" and "showering them with quick credit and other perks" to encourage further gambling.

  • The Washington Post editorial criticizing legal sports betting was published in December 2024.
  • The Washington Post laid off a third of its staff, including the entire sports department, in February 2026.

The players

Washington Post

A prominent daily newspaper based in Washington, D.C. that has been critical of the legalization of sports betting in the United States.

John Feinstein

A notable former sports journalist for the Washington Post.

Michael Wilborn

A notable former sports journalist for the Washington Post.

Tony Kornheiser

A notable former sports journalist for the Washington Post who went on to co-create and host ESPN's 'Pardon the Interruption'.

Christine Brennan

The first woman to cover the Washington Commanders (then the Redskins) for the Washington Post in 1985.

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What they’re saying

“Growing up reading the Post, I didn't realize it wasn't like this in other cities. I didn't know how lucky we were to enjoy giants of their craft like Kornheiser, Wilbon, Boswell, Kindred & Feinstein.”

— Scott Van Pelt, Sportscaster (X)

“For decades, however, the Post treated sports as a vital part of life in the District. Whatever the rest of the country thought about Washington's teams and fans, there was no better place to read about sports than the nation's capital.”

— Noah Trister, Associated Press Reporter (Associated Press)

What’s next

The Washington Post has not indicated any specific plans for the future of its sports coverage or its stance on legal sports betting.

The takeaway

The Washington Post's criticism of legal sports betting reflects the ongoing debate around the societal impacts of the industry's expansion. As more states have legalized sports betting, concerns have been raised about the potential for increased addiction and financial distress, which the Post's editorial board believes outweigh the potential benefits of legalization.