Sports Betting

Since the start of the new year watching any sports on TV has become a chore of wading through all the online sports betting commercials since it has now become legal in New York State. Sometimes while watching a football or basketball game there may be commercials from three different sports betting companies one right after another. I find it to be disgustingly obnoxious. I also notice that each commercial must also post a gambling addiction problem phone number as part of their ad.

Seven sports betting companies have been awarded contracts to operate in New York State. I originally began seeing a constant barrage of sports betting ads recently while we have been in Philadelphia visiting Katie. Sports betting became legal there over the last few years. It was shocking at first to watch a game there and see the constant ads for online betting. I was surprised when suddenly the same ads were all over the TV in New York. 

I really do have a problem with betting and sports and especially the way they are promoting it on every sports program. I also do not like that there are NFL partners with betting companies.

I've always had a problem with gambling and do not support it in any way whatsoever. I saw enough gambling while I was in the Navy among fellow sailors and saw first hand what it can do to someone with a gambling problem. I saw many casinos while in the service including some in Monte Carlo and others in the South of France. I also checked out a couple of Atlantic City casinos when they became legal there. I should add that I never gambled in AC or in France. I played the slots a few times in the Caribbean and never saw the thrill of losing money. I've never played any numbers lottery, horse track betting or have ever gone to Las Vegas.

I also refuse to go to any concert or show that is located at a casino. I absolutely refuse to support them in any situation including going to their facility for any reason. 

There have been several reasons of late to give up on the NFL. I certainly didn't like the way that quarterback Colin Kaepernick was treated after his protest against systemic racism and not ever playing again in the NFL. I do not like the obvious systemic racism that takes place everyday in a league that is 70% Black but has not Black people as team owners or upper management. I also do not like the NFL record of brain injuries and ongoing problems with brain problems. I don't know how any parent could let their child play football.

So much for that rant.