Ep 542: Is Athlete Abuse Adding More Pressure to the Betting-Sports Relationship?

In the latest episode of iGaming Daily, brought to you by Optimove, hosts Ted Orme-Claye, Editor of SBC News and Justin Byers of SBC Americas tackle the rising tide of online abuse directed at athletes, an alarming trend increasingly tied to the global expansion of sports betting markets. The conversation spotlights the recent targeting of British tennis star Katie Boulter following her French Open loss—an incident that sparked strong reactions from governing bodies like the ITF and WTA. The hosts also examine how this troubling behaviour is gaining ground in the US since the 2018 PASPA repeal, with Justin offering an insider look at how college sports and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals have made student-athletes more vulnerable than ever to harassment linked to betting outcomes.This in-depth discussion covers how leagues, operators, and organisations are fighting back—from the NCAA’s “Don’t Be a Loser” video campaign to action plans by Epic Global Solutions and FanDuel’s response to Olympian Gabby Thomas speaking out. Ted and Justin explore the complex web of betting sponsorships, brand partnerships, and league collaborations that may unintentionally fuel fan suspicion and conspiracy theories about match integrity. To read more about the topics discussed in today's episode, click on the following links:https://sbcnews.co.uk/sportsbook/2025/06/18/tennis-online-hate-signify/https://sbcamericas.com/2025/06/10/matt-wein-athlete-harassment-analysis/https://sbcamericas.com/2025/06/10/ncaa-signify-gambling-abuse-data/?s=09Host: Ted Orme-ClayeGuest: Justin ByersProducer: Anaya McDonaldEditor: James RossiGaming Daily is also now on TikTok. Make sure to follow us at iGaming Daily Podcast (@igaming_daily_podcast) | TikTok for bite-size clips from your favourite podcast. Finally, remember to check out Optimove at https://hubs.la/Q02gLC5L0 or go to Optimove.com/sbc to get your first month free when buying the industry's leading customer-loyalty service.