ESPN Betting Special: Broadcaster “Examines” Industry It Is Helping Grow

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Outside the Lines Focuses on Sports Betting

ESPN is supposedly the journalistic voice in sports. But what happens when it has to do a documentary on the very industry it is a part of? That’s the world of sports betting, as its Outside the Lines documentary series looks to elucidate. The brand is notable for its trenchant commentary. But when it’s a subject matter directly tied to its parent’s purse strings, this may be nothing more than an ESPN betting special.

The W5H of the Outside the Lines ESPN Betting Special

Outside the Lines will debut a multi-part series on the present state of sports betting and online gambling. It aired its first part last night, Thursday, February 1, in the 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET editions of SportsCenter on ESPN. The following parts will be aired in the subsequent days and will be made available on YouTube on the ESPN channel.

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Per the ESPN release, these are the segments of this documentary mini-series:

Part 1: The State of Sports Betting in the U.S.

Airs Thursday, Feb. 1, at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET editions of SportsCenter

  • As the Super Bowl comes to Las Vegas, what is the state of sports betting in the United States? How has the industry been transformed?
  • Bettors now carry sportsbooks in their pockets. How are people, especially younger ones, betting on the apps?
  • How social media has impacted the growth of sports betting.
  • How the sports wagering industry continues to break down the barriers that once separated it from the sports establishment.
Part 2: Isaiah Rodgers Sr.

Airs Friday, Feb. 2, at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. ET editions of SportsCenter

  • Exclusive interview with former Indianapolis Colts defensive back Isaiah Rodgers Sr. On June 29, 2023, the NFL suspended Rodgers indefinitely for violating the league’s gambling policy. Rodgers signed with the Eagles in August and will apply for reinstatement in the off-season.
Part 3: What Happens in Vegas…

Debuts Saturday, Feb. 3, at 9 a.m. ET edition of SportsCenter

  • In 2003, the NFL blocked a “What Happens in Vegas” ad from airing during the Super Bowl. Now, 21 years later, the Super Bowl is in Las Vegas.
  • How did the sports industry go from a strong aversion to gambling to where things stand today?
  • Since the landmark 2018 Supreme Court decision, legal sports betting in the U.S. has rapidly expanded into 38 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Americans have legally wagered more than $300 billion on sports in that timeframe.
  • Leagues (including the NFL) now go “all-in,” allowing the marketing blitz during games, having sports books inside sports venues, and more.
Part 4: The Risks of Sports Gambling

Debuts Sunday, Feb. 4, at 9 a.m. ET edition of SportsCenter

  • Viewers will meet a financial advisor from New Jersey who recently won nearly half a million dollars from a $5 bet. The odds were one in 9.8 million.
  • It is estimated that 7 million American adults suffer from gambling addiction. There are currently no federal funds designated for problem gambling treatment or research.
  • Schaap interviews “Randy,” a 23-year-old man who sought treatment for his gambling addiction interviewed is his counselor, who has his own story of getting in too deep.
  • Examining the mind of a gambler – interview with Dr. Timothy Fong, a UCLA Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and co-director of the school’s Gambling Studies Program.

ESPN and Sports Betting, a Potent Partnership

Since the legalization of sports betting, it has been inevitable that the biggest brands would partner with or open sportsbooks. ESPN is no exception. It launched its book, “ESPN Bet”, on November 14, 2023. Now, folks can look at the sports corporation for their daily scores and odds.

With the Super Bowl headed to Las Vegas on February 11, we can expect the Disney-owned brand to rake in profits just like its counterparts.

As such, this Outside the Lines docuseries is more of an ESPN betting special that gives more exposure to an industry that only seems to keep getting bigger as sports betting becomes more prevalent.

For gambling news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.


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