Sports betting is causing athletes to be abused and harassed online

Baseball players, tennis stars and others have raised the alarm

Photo collage of a football in a roulette wheel
Many players believe the abuse is linked to the legalized availability of sports gambling
(Image credit: Illustration by Julia Wytrazek / Getty Images)

As sports betting becomes increasingly ubiquitous in the U.S., athletes are reckoning with its darker side: being subjected to online harassment and verbal abuse. The harassment against sports stars and their families ranges from simple name-calling to death threats, and many are saying this behavior crosses a line.

What type of abuse are athletes enduring?

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Justin Klawans, The Week US

Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.