The Dark Side of Sports: Athletes in the Crosshairs of Online Bettors
In the world of sports, the connection between athletes and fans has drastically transformed with the rise of online betting. While social platforms and payment applications have facilitated interaction, they have also opened the door to a worrying increase in harassment and hostility towards athletes. Max Homa, a professional golfer, is just one example of how online toxicity affects the lives of athletes. Homa, during a difficult time, shared his frustration over the offensive messages he was receiving on social media. “It’s absurd how comfortable some people feel writing horrible things,” he commented, referring to the anonymity that these platforms offer. The situation reached the point of receiving threats and insults, which led him to distance himself a bit from online interaction, preferring personal connections. A specific case involved an Instagram user who sent him a vulgar message after a tournament. Homa responded with humor, but the incident illustrates the ease with which bettors express their discontent. The situation isn’t limited to social media. Homa has also received requests for money via Venmo, a payment app. This led the golfer to respond strongly, urging bettors to accept their losses. Scottie Scheffler, the world’s number one golfer, also decided to remove Venmo due to the constant requests for money from fans, showing the direct impact on the lives of athletes. Venmo’s ease of use and its news feed feature, which displays users’ transactions, encourages social interaction and, consequently, harassment. Anonymity on social media gives some viewers the freedom to disrespect athletes with impunity, and the introduction of money into the equation only exacerbates the problem. Ottawa Senators NHL captain Brady Tkachuk was forced to change his name and profile picture on Venmo after fans discovered his account. A Venmo spokesperson stated that the company prohibits behavior considered harassment and takes immediate action when detected, including banning users from the platform. However, details on the frequency with which these incidents occur were not provided. Mardy Fish, a retired professional tennis player, has experienced various forms of harassment in sports, but emphasizes that online cruelty has reached a new level. Fish points out that requests for money on Venmo are just one of the many forms of harassment, and laments the lack of accountability that exists on social media. An anonymous survey revealed that 78.2% of MLB players feel that legalized sports betting has changed the way fans treat them. Tkachuk, for his part, has received numerous requests for money, even for missed shots, and although he considers the situation funny, he recognizes the emotional impact.
Legend: Brady Tkachuk had to change his name and photo on his Venmo account.
The incident at the American Century Championship golf tournament, where a spectator shouted during Mardy Fish’s swing, illustrates how bettors try to influence athletes’ performance. Fish, who won the tournament in 2020 and 2024, lamented that the incident marred the event. The trend of bettors pressuring athletes is spreading, with examples like the heckling of Gabby Thomas at a track and field event and death threats to Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. The MLBPA has taken steps to protect its players, employing a security director with contacts in law enforcement.
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Even college athletes, like Payton Thorne, have been targeted by bettors. Thorne humorously commented on the money requests he was receiving on Venmo. A study by the NCAA revealed that at least 12% of the abuse on social media comes from sports bettors. The NCAA has implemented measures to reduce this problem, with a 23% decrease in abuse related to sports betting. The legalization of sports betting in the United States, following the annulment of the PASPA law in 2018, has had unintended consequences. While it has generated tax revenue and eliminated the black market, it has also increased harassment of athletes. Bettors, having an economic investment in the game, seem to feel entitled to demand results and express their frustration aggressively. In short, the increasing interaction between sports and betting has created an environment where athletes face unprecedented pressure and harassment. The lack of accountability on social platforms and the ease of financial transactions have intensified this problem, forcing athletes to take measures to protect their mental and emotional well-being.
