ESPN going all in on gambling with college football

[icu81222]

Anyone else noticing this? Nearly every show talking spreads and covers .

It always seemed to just be something that was just in the background but they appear to have put it front and center.

Haven't heard much about this but have to guess this could bring some interesting discussion on morality as well as the always tenuous relationship between sports and betting.

Thoughts ?

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

That just struck a bid deal with draftkings/fanduel right?

It is only a matter of time before gambling is allowed in stadiums (professionally at least)

 

[J_Heater]

My only thoughts on gamblers is there are probably 100 people in the US that actually make money at this. The other 4 million or so lose. It's a bad habit but if its legal I wouldn't expect ESPN to be on the moral superiority band wagon.History says they could care less about that stuff. See why Chris Carter is still employed.

I do know that I have never met a gambler that wasn't "even for the year". I always hear that phrase after they lose their kids college fund betting on a sure thing like Iowa State and the points last Saturday. LOL.

 

[icu81222]

Hasn't the state of Iowa blocked us from gambling through Fan Duel etc? Thought I saw that on twitter that it is illegal here so you can't cash out

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Hasn't the state of Iowa blocked us from gambling through Fan Duel etc? Thought I saw that on twitter that it is illegal here so you can't cash out

That is true, It is in the fine print of the commercials with like 2 other states

 

[sloehawk]

Hasn't the state of Iowa blocked us from gambling through Fan Duel etc? Thought I saw that on twitter that it is illegal here so you can't cash out

I believe that is true. Iowa isn't the only state where it is currently banned however (there is a list on their website I believe - I'm not involved in it, but can't say I never will be - I live in the Twin Cities, so we can legally do it here as far as I know). There are of course online petitions being bandied about for States that don't currently allow it is my understanding, and rightfully so IMO. Any state that allows Casino gambling of any kind, has a lot of balls to try to come up with some explanation why this wouldn't be allowed.

Fan Duel had their name front and center on some NFL show I watched yesterday for a bit (not sure of the Network). Fan Duel and Draft Kings are both sponsors for several broadcast sports entities it appears. Millions upon millions play fantasy football with their buddies, so this would have an obvious appeal to many, aside from just betting on games, Pro or College.

I am in one FFL with my sons and their buddies. I don't put a lot of time into it in comparison to most I think, but I do read some weekly Fantasy Articles and what-not, and there are several I've run across that have started inputting information relative to Fan Duel and Draft Kings, as opposed to just Start or Sit (because of the fixed amount for auction prices to pick your team and what-not).

There was a recent article on USA Today I believe, that did go into detail about this relative to ESPN showing those lines and other info relative to the gambling public. There was some commentary from ESPN officials, and of course the usual hypocrites at Universities crying morality and the normal blah, blah, blah from them as they reap the benefits to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars from the sporting public and TV deals while smoking cigars in their luxury boxes.

Fan Duel and Draft Kings are now big business. I presume they pay similar advertising amounts as Budweiser, Buick, Doritos, etc., so there aren't any TV Execs gonna be turning down their money. It appears its here to stay. Get used to it I guess.

 

[Pepperman]

My only thoughts on gamblers is there are probably 100 people in the US that actually make money at this. The other 4 million or so lose. It's a bad habit but if its legal I wouldn't expect ESPN to be on the moral superiority band wagon.History says they could care less about that stuff. See why Chris Carter is still employed.

I do know that I have never met a gambler that wasn't "even for the year". I always hear that phrase after they lose their kids college fund betting on a sure thing like Iowa State and the points last Saturday. LOL.

I'm 2-8 this year in football. It is a bad year. So now you've heard of somebody who is down for the year.

Last year I picked 58% winners and made a lot of money.

It isn't impossible. The problem is too many people bet more than they should and then chase their losses by doubling up or more.

 

[icu81222]

Last year I picked 58% winners and made a lot of money.

What is a lot of money?

 

[Pepperman]

Fair question - in absolutes, I don't want to risk much, so I'm doing this in percentage terms. About 300% of what I started with. I roughly doubled my money in a normal sportsbook account and then made a much better return on a pick'em pool.

The 58% is from the pool, as is this year's 2-8 start. I don't know for sure what my percentage is for winning in my sportsbook account. I've had the account for 4 or 5 years now and I started with $200 and once had it up to $500 and once as low as $18. Now it is basically back where it started (I think I'm at $180ish) and I've never added to it nor taken anything out of it. I stupidly played in their casino once and dropped $200, but whatever, I'm starting to sound like the guys heat_dawg is talking about if I keep justifying it.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Anyone else noticing this? Nearly every show talking spreads and covers .

It always seemed to just be something that was just in the background but they appear to have put it front and center.

Haven't heard much about this but have to guess this could bring some interesting discussion on morality as well as the always tenuous relationship between sports and betting.

Thoughts ?

I've noticed this to be a growing trend for the last couple of years now.

Colin Cowherd would always talk point spreads and I think even SVP did some of that for the college game too....though of course both shows are gone/have changed now.
Mike and Mike stick to NFL because well....that's all they do. And if they're not on a subject that is the NFL, then they will find a way to work in a reference.

 

[td77]

I do love sports betting, so hopefully don't come across as too hypocritical in saying that I find the Draft Kings and Fan Duel commercials incredibly annoying (enhanced as the state of Arizona is also exempt from playing). At some level, college sports are the last to keep the sport deliberate and clear. I compare it to the NFL where everyone, myself included, cheers for their Fantasy players and the garbage results rather than for the team you love. I can't imagine putting my money on T. Smith and being pissed off when CJ throws the ball to Vandy. Make no dispute for who you cheer form

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

Honestly, I miss playing fantasy football. Haven't for the past two years now after winning two different leagues. Just not enough time to keep up with it and to be honest, with all the moves teams have made and players getting hurt (there is an excessive amount of injuries to start the 2015 season already), and players getting old and not as effective, I don't know how I'd fare if I was able to play this year.

That said, and yes I agree that the Draft Kings/Fan Duel commercials are everywhere and annoying as f***, I thought that playing fantasy football helped keep me interested in NFL games I would otherwise have zero interest in watching.
After 2 weeks of catching at least parts of just about every college football game available on TV, I probably watched a grand total of 5 minutes of NFL action yesterday....because I didn't care. Bears-Packers are on the air? Who gives a f***.

But while playing fantasy football, I felt a little bit more invested in watching those games. Of course, as a rule, I would never draft a player from my own team unless it was an absolute sure-thing. Though as a Vikings fan (and I won't miss tonight's game), Adrian Peterson is about the only worthwhile fantasy player to pick up and I never had a chance to get him, so it worked out.

/csb

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

not enough time to play fantasy football but enough time to post 27,000 on message boards

 

[northernboarderhawk]

Fan duel is illegal in Arizona, Iowa Louisiana, Montana and Washington. Not that anyone really cares. You can play Streak for cash in Iowa because you don't have to bet any money to win.

 

[J_Heater]

I was getting hs kids to bet from a bookie who delivered beer to pizza Hut in the 80s when I wad living in blair, ne. I made a small commission and all I did was transfer money. When I moved to San Diego I would go to Vegas once a month and see new casinos being built. Figured it wasn't due to them losing.

So I stopped gambling and bought stock in mirage resorts. Sold when Wynn sold it to mgm.

I then counseled sailors that had obvious issues. I didn't mean to sound judgemental if that's what I did. I've just seen it destroy some pretty good people. But pepperman is right by people try to make up for losses and it's a bad idea.

Damn near hit a 8 team parlay in 90s but the fad 5 didn't cover against uclA. If it had hit who knows how far I would have went with gambling. Probably broke but I feel that way now.

 

[sloehawk]

I was getting hs kids to bet from a bookie who delivered beer to pizza Hut in the 80s when I wad living in blair, ne. I made a small commission and all I did was transfer money. When I moved to San Diego I would go to Vegas once a month and see new casinos being built. Figured it wasn't due to them losing.

So I stopped gambling and bought stock in mirage resorts. Sold when Wynn sold it to mgm.

I then counseled sailors that had obvious issues. I didn't mean to sound judgemental if that's what I did. I've just seen it destroy some pretty good people. But pepperman is right by people try to make up for losses and it's a bad idea.

Damn near hit a 8 team parlay in 90s but the fad 5 didn't cover against uclA. If it had hit who knows how far I would have went with gambling. Probably broke but I feel that way now.

The key is to gamble what you can afford to lose (easier said then done for many). There is a "fun" element to it for sure, but many can get washed away for certain. That applies to any form of it of course, not just sports. FWIW I don't think you came across as judgemental, you were correct in your assessment, IMO.

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

not enough time to play fantasy football but enough time to post 27,000 on message boards

Hey, Cutty, what's up. How'd your Bears do yesterday?

 

[Hawk_4shur]

Gambling is like marijuana. Its happening big time anyway, and they are not really any different that other legal "sins" like alcohol, tobacco, lottery, etc. I say legalize it and tax the crap out of it.

 

[CuttyDoesIt]

Hey, Cutty, what's up. How'd your Bears do yesterday?

Big moral victory. Last time the Bears/Packers played they were down 42-0 at halftime. Sunday they were up 3. Thats what Bears fan celebrate now a days.

If I remember correctly, you are a Viking fan. They looked pretty good against the biggest dumpster fire in the NFL last night.

 

[Hawk and Awe]

Hasn't the state of Iowa blocked us from gambling through Fan Duel etc? Thought I saw that on twitter that it is illegal here so you can't cash out

Well crap.... Per draft Kings

Legal residents of Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, and Washington (the "Excluded States") are ineligible for prizes offered by the Website. Residents of the Excluded States are eligible to open and maintain accounts on the Website for use only in games that do not offer prizes.

I've done some free games, but have never won. Obviously they can prevent me from cashing out but would that really happen? I'm planning on winning $1 million soon

 

[EvilMonkeyInTheCloset]

If I remember correctly, you are a Viking fan. They looked like the biggest dumpster fire in the NFL last night.

Yep, I agree.

 

[TDJ7]

I used to enjoy betting on football until my "guy" got my Christmas bonuses 3 straight years. Decided to hang em up after that.