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No, Gambling Isn’t Ruining Sports

Having betting out in the open is uncovering the wrongdoing that has likely been going on forever.

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Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a home run during the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in Game Three of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, October 27, 2025.

Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images/via Reuters

‘The high level of lawlessness,” said Walter Lippmann in 1931, “is maintained by the fact that Americans desire to do so many things which they also desire to prohibit.”

Lippmann was talking about alcohol prohibition, but his words apply just as easily to the state of sports gambling in 2025. The allure of massive cash windfalls for both state governments and professional sports leagues has led to the virtual legalization of gambling nationwide, which has lured America’s professional scolds out of hiding to denounce the “damaging” effect legalized wagering is having on competitions everywhere.

Christian Schneider

About the Author

Christian Schneider

Christian Schneider is a National Review contributor and writes the Anti-Knowledge newsletter. He is a co-host of the podcast Wasn't That Special: 50 Years of SNL.

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