Sports Betting Erodes the Joy of Fandom

The rise of online gambling is changing how fans engage with athletics, experts warn.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:04am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric interpretation of a sports game, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the disjointed nature of sports viewing when focused on gambling rather than the competition.The rise of sports betting is reshaping the way fans engage with athletics, eroding the emotional connection and team loyalty that has traditionally defined sports culture.Iowa City Today

A new study finds that the legalization and widespread adoption of sports betting has led to a growing percentage of Americans who see it as a negative force, eroding the emotional connection and team loyalty that has traditionally defined sports fandom. Experts warn that the trend is especially prevalent on college campuses, where young adults are at high risk of developing gambling addictions.

Why it matters

Sports have long been a source of community, entertainment, and healthy competition. But the increasing prevalence of sports betting, fueled by mobile apps and social pressure, is fundamentally changing the way fans engage with athletics, shifting the focus from the thrill of the game to the pursuit of financial gain.

The details

According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, 22% of U.S. adults said they placed a bet on a sports game in the past year, up from 19% in 2022. The study also found that 43% of adults now believe the legalization of sports betting is bad for society, up from 34% in 2022. Additionally, 40% see betting as bad for sports in general, an increase from 33% in 2022. Less than one in five people believe sports betting has had a positive impact.

  • In 2018, the Supreme Court lifted the federal ban on sports betting, leading to widespread legalization across the country.
  • A 2025 Pew Research Center study examined the growing prevalence and public perception of sports betting in the U.S.

The players

Luigi Geraci

A fourth-year University of Iowa student who self-identifies as a gambling expert.

Ryan Annee

A fourth-year University of Iowa student who engages in sports betting with his friends.

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What they’re saying

“I will admit that when I have a bet placed, I start to care less about what team actually wins and more about it hitting.”

— Luigi Geraci, University of Iowa student

“I do think sports betting is popular here at the UI. Most of my friends do it, and so do I. It's easy to keep gambling when the people around you also do it, it almost enables you to keep going.”

— Ryan Annee, University of Iowa student

What’s next

The NCAA plans to conduct further research on the prevalence and impact of sports betting on college campuses, with the goal of developing strategies to educate and protect students.

The takeaway

As sports betting becomes more widespread, it is fundamentally changing the way fans engage with athletics, shifting the focus from the thrill of competition to the pursuit of financial gain. This trend is especially concerning on college campuses, where young adults are at high risk of developing gambling addictions and facing negative academic and financial consequences.