Episode 128: We’ve Got a Gambling Problem

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Gambling is having a moment. Not only have a majority of states legalized sports betting since the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in 2018, but prediction markets have also enjoyed explosive growth in the last few years. With huge amounts of money being wagered on everything from which turkey President Trump would pardon on Thanksgiving to whether all twelve singles from Taylor Swift’s new album would make the charts, it sure seems as if we’re betting on EVERYTHING. Mark and Joe discuss the betting public’s changing demographics, what all that wagering is doing to all those bettors, and why gambling’s newfound ubiquity is not a winning bet for America. (Recorded February 20, 2026.)