Betting-Related Harassment: Athletes Speak Out as FanDuel Takes Action

The issue of betting-related harassment in sports is gaining attention after a recent incident involving Olympic gold medalist Gabby Thomas. A man heckled Thomas during a track meet, later posting online about how his heckling influenced her performance and helped him win a parlay bet. This incident is not isolated. NBA player Jalen Brunson reports receiving threats after nearly every game, some directed at his daughter. Last month, police say a bettor sent death threats to Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. The NCAA has conducted a survey revealing that 17% of Division I men's basketball student-athletes reported experiencing harassment from someone with a betting interest in their competition. The NCAA has even launched an ad campaign urging people not to be "losers" by engaging in such behavior. FanDuel has banned the man who heckled Thomas from their platform. This underscores the growing concern over the negative impact of sports betting on athletes' well-being and the need for stronger measures to protect them.