The Hidden Cost of Sports Betting: Cutting Long-term Savings

Professor Jason Kotter (BYU Marriott School of Business) breaks down what sports betting looks like in the real world—why it feels “winnable,” how commonly misunderstood odds and wager structures (like parlays) can quietly stack the deck, and the financial tradeoffs heavy bettors often make (including pulling funds from long-term savings). You’ll also hear the data-driven reasons many bettors end up losing over time—and what education and smart policy changes could do to reduce harm.