Skip to content
TrackPodcasts
businessJun 17, 20269:04pending

Is gambling the reason we have pro sports?

About this episode

To hear author David Bockino tell it, gambling has always been a key ingredient of pro sports in the U.S.—it’s as American as apple pie. Bockino is the author of the new book Over/Under: An Unexpected History of Sports Betting. So what gave rise to this new wave of sports gambling? And what are we risking placing so many bets on games? 

Fact checking by Sierra Juarez

Your Next Listen 
Prediction markets are threatening national security. Who’s gonna fix it? 

Connect with The Indicator 
— Sign up for The Indicator’s brand new newsletter 
— Buy the Planet Money book 
— Find our socials, YouTube and more
— For sponsor-free episodes, subscribe to NPR+


See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

NPR Privacy Policy

Get every episode summarized

Each time The Indicator from Planet Money publishes, we email you a written briefing from the transcript — the topics, who appeared, and any specific claims, with the ad reads skipped.

Email me new episodes

Free for 3 shows. No card needed.

Hosts & guests

No transcript yet

This episode has not been transcribed. Request it and it moves to the front of the queue.

Is gambling the reason we have pro sports?

The Indicator from Planet Money

0:00
9:04

More episodes

More from The Indicator from Planet Money

View all episodes →