Red Sox Confront Online Abuse Linked to Sports Betting
The Boston Red Sox have publicly addressed the alarming rise of online abuse linked to disgruntled sports bettors. Pitcher Liam Hendriks recently highlighted this issue after receiving death threats following a loss to the Mets, spotlighting a troubling trend in the realm of sports betting.
The Growing Impact of Sports Betting
As legal sports betting expands across the United States, the negative consequences are becoming increasingly evident. Hendriks remarked on the "deplorable" nature of online abuse, stating, "Unfortunately, it’s rampant within sports." Many of his colleagues across different organizations have shared harrowing experiences of cyberbullying, including the leaking of personal information. "For many players," he observed, "this type of harassment is a near-daily occurrence."
Hendriks articulated concerns that this abuse could have serious mental health implications for athletes. "At some point, something’s got to break," he warned. "And it better not be any of the guys that are receiving this stuff."
He recounted a particularly shocking message directed at him: “You blew my parlay. Go (expletive) yourself, and then it’s ‘go hang yourself.’” This, he reflected, struck a painful chord given his own battle with cancer, which he was first diagnosed with in January 2023. After several months of chemotherapy, Hendriks heroically made his return to Major League Baseball in May.
Support from Leadership
Red Sox manager Alex Cora has voiced his support for Hendriks, stressing the importance of accountability within the betting community. "People take it very seriously," Cora stated. "But when you stake your emotions on gambling outcomes, it’s vital to recognize that responsibility lies with the individual. It’s not the players’ fault that someone lost money."
Moreover, Hendriks has advocated for action from social media platforms, urging them to track the IP addresses of abusive users and report them to law enforcement. He has taken further steps by reporting incidents to MLB security, even involving police when threats escalated.
Rising Frustration Among Bettors
The US sports betting industry experienced monumental growth, with a total handle of $149.6 billion last year. Legal sportsbooks generated $13.71 billion, showing a substantial increase from $11 billion in 2023. Unregulated markets likely exceeded these figures, as a recent Yield Sec report estimated US bettors lost around $67 billion in total, encompassing offshore and cryptocurrency sportsbooks.
This financial strain often manifests in hostile interactions aimed at players. Following a game where Hendriks gave up five earned runs in just 1.1 innings, he faced a surge of vitriol, despite a prior stretch of eight scoreless appearances.
In response to the rising tide of abusive behavior, several states have instituted bans on prop bets to safeguard players. Legal actions have been initiated against abusive bettors, particularly when threats target collegiate athletes.
For instance, in 2019, Addison Choi was sentenced to 18 months in prison and fined $5,500 for sending death threats to 45 college athletes, blaming them for his gambling losses. The following year saw Benjamin Patz, known as Parlay Patz, receive 36 months’ probation for making severe threats against both professional and college athletes following losses.
Conclusion
The intersection of sports betting and athlete welfare is an emerging domain requiring urgent attention. With the continued growth of the gambling market, the responsibility lies not only with players and organizations but also with the betting community at large to foster a more supportive and respectful environment.
About the Author
Adam Roarty is a seasoned writer with extensive experience in the gambling industry. Over the past five years, he has contributed as a content writer and editor for prominent sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph, and Gambling Industry News, providing deep insights into the world of sports betting and online gambling.
