This episode discusses the rise of legalized sports gambling in the U.S. following the 2018 Supreme Court decision, and why Catholics should be concerned about it. The Catholic Church's opposition to sports gambling is explained with emphasis on its potential to drive poverty, fragment families, and fuel addiction and domestic violence. The episode features Les Bernal, National Director of Stop Predatory Gambling, who talks about the broader issue of commercialized gambling and its exploitation by state governments in partnership with powerful gambling corporations. Bernal's extensive work in advocating against predatory gambling practices and his numerous media appearances are highlighted, along with his key arguments on why sports gambling is particularly harmful.
Show Links:
- Stop Predatory Gambling: https://www.stoppredatorygambling.org/
- Study of 700,000 online gamblers: https://www.stoppredatorygambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2024-Online-Gambling-Policy-Effects-on-Tax-Revenue-and-Irresponsible-Gambling.pdf
- Background on the legal landscape of sports betting: https://newrepublic.com/article/189263/online-sports-betting-alito-losses
- Making the case for why legalizing sports betting is a mistake: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/legalizing-sports-gambling-was-a-huge-mistake/ar-AA1r2DLq
- Impact of sports betting on young men: https://www.newsweek.com/2023/04/07/sports-betting-boom-linked-rising-gambling-addiction-anxiety-suicide-1789055.html
Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements.
Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.
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