The Allure and Risks of Online Sports Betting: A Journalist's Experiment

McKay Coppins, a practicing Mormon and journalist for The Atlantic, undertook a year-long experiment to explore the burgeoning world of online sports betting during the 2025 NFL season. With a $10,000 stake provided by his employer and approval from his bishop, Coppins aimed to understand the implications of legalized sports wagering. Initially, he approached betting as a form of entertainment, placing small wagers and enjoying the thrill of watching games with financial stakes involved. However, as the season progressed, the ease of access to betting apps transformed his casual interest into an all-consuming habit.

Mormon Invests $10K Stake Despite Non-Gambling EthosNewserSports Betting Experiment Leaves Journalist Nearly $10,000 Down After Year-Long NFL Project

Coppins' experience illustrates how online betting apps, filled with promotions and bonus offers, can quickly lead to compulsive behavior. He described the betting process as “frictionless as checking the weather,” highlighting how the immediacy of placing bets can reshape one's focus and emotional state. By the end of the season, he had wagered a total of $28,000, ultimately losing his entire initial stake. Family members expressed concern over his changing behavior, prompting him to reflect on the addictive nature of gambling and its impact on personal relationships.

Mormon Invests $10K Stake Despite Non-Gambling Ethos

Coppins' account emerges amid a significant increase in sports betting in the United States, where Americans have wagered over half a trillion dollars since 2018. Approximately half of men aged 18 to 49 have active accounts with online sportsbooks, indicating a cultural shift towards normalizing gambling as part of the sports experience. This trend raises questions about the potential for addiction and the ethical implications of promoting such activities.

Mormon Invests $10K Stake Despite Non-Gambling Ethos

Public reaction to Coppins' experiment has been mixed. Some readers have criticized the decision to fund a $10,000 stake for a journalistic endeavor, questioning the ethics of such an arrangement. Critics argue that this setup could inadvertently promote gambling as a harmless pastime, despite the risks associated with compulsive betting behavior. The dual perspectives reflect a broader societal debate: while some view legalized wagering as an enhancement to sports fandom, others see it as a pathway to addiction.

Mormon Invests $10K Stake Despite Non-Gambling Ethos

Coppins himself has acknowledged the personal toll of his betting experience, noting increased irritability after losses and the strain on family dynamics. He plans to fill out a “self-exclusion” form to prevent future betting, recognizing the need for boundaries in the face of compulsive tendencies. His narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the potential consequences of modern gambling culture.

Mormon Invests $10K Stake Despite Non-Gambling Ethos

• “You're addicted,” his wife whispered to him in church when she spotted him checking his DraftKings app. — McKay Coppins, Journalist

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• “We took an ancient vice…put it on everyone’s phone, and made it as normal and frictionless as checking the weather. What could possibly go wrong?” — McKay Coppins, Journalist

Sports Betting Experiment Leaves Journalist Nearly $10,000 Down After Year-Long NFL Project

Coppins' journey through the world of online sports betting highlights the complexities of modern gambling, revealing both its allure and the risks it poses to individuals and families.

Mormon Invests $10K Stake Despite Non-Gambling Ethos