On the latest audio edition of “Listen In With KNN” sports talk podcast and radio show with host Kelsey Nicole Nelson, special guest Keith S. Whyte joined the show to discuss the growth and potential implications of sports betting and gambling.
Whyte currently serves as the executive director of The National Council on Problem Gambling. Before beginning the converstation, Whyte first cleared the air on his own and the council’s general disposition towards sports betting.
“If you’re into sports, into sports betting, that’s fine. People think ‘oh it’s the national council on problem gambling it’s gonna be this heavy, kind of moralistic, kind of judging people message’ and that is not who we are and what we’re about,” said Whyte.
Nelson asked Whyte how he got into sports betting and what the NCPG is all about.
Whyte said, “One of our founding principles was to be neutral on legalized gambling because we didn’t want people with gambling problems to feel any shame about reaching out.”
NCPG was founded in 1972 and is the oldest organization focused on problem gambling in the United States. They offer educational resources, a helpline, and counselor certification programs, and more to anyone who needs help or wants to help assist those impacted by gambling.Whyte joined NCPG from the American Gaming Association. He was the director of research there from 95’ to 98’.
“I came on board (to the NCPG) to minimize harm,” Whyte said.
In reference to minimizing harm, Nelson then asked Whyte about any general steps to take to gamble responsibly.
“Setting a budget (and) having a limit is really important,” he said.
The two then talked about the state of current sports betting and how it’s grown all over the country.
“It feels like it’s been doubling every year since 2018. More Americans have more access to legalized gambling than ever before (and) there’s much more advertising,” said Whyte.
Whyte went on to talk more about sports gambling in specific.
“The higher your education and the higher your income the more likely you are to bet on sports. That relationship doesn’t hold true for any other form of gambling,” he said.
Nelson and Whyte also discussed athletes getting involved in sports betting, such as the former Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter.
“While the risk isn’t exclusively concentrated in young male athletes, there is an enormous overlap,” Whyte said. He mentioned how young men often exhibit risk-taking traits which can be great for entrepreneurship. Though those same traits can put them at a higher risk for gambling.
Nelson suggested that Whyte’s work is likely getting much busier.
“We definitely feel like we are still in that growth period. I think it is also clear that the need for our services is increasing, both on the prevention side, as well as making sure there is hope and help available,” Whyte said.
The conversation then moved to taxes and sports betting.
“Last year the federal government collected $250 million dollars in just that sports betting excise tax alone,” Whyte said.
With almost every state in the U.S.A. legalizing sports betting there is a rapidly increasing amount of money being generated. Whyte shared how the organization introduced a bill to devote half the federal share of gambling taxes to prevention and research programs.
“As gambling continues to expand in the U.S. , so too should the pool of resources available to prevent problems and help those, who through no fault of their own, get jammed up,” Whyte said.
Nelson finished off the conversation by mentioning how vital it is to educate young college students about sports betting. She asked Whyte what it looks like when someone reaches out for help, especially those young individuals who likely want to keep things private.
“The one guarantee that we offer anybody who contacts 800-GAMBLER is that your calls are always confidential. 800-GAMBLER is that next stepping point to helping you get the resources appropriate for you. We’ll help steer you to whatever help is available in your area,” Whyte said.
In a final message to the listeners Whyte shared an insight on what folks who enjoy sports gambling can do.
“Sports betting done right should be safe, should be recreational, hopefully you’re making a little money, hopefully you’re not losing the house,” he said.
Listen to the full show below.
