HOW BIG IS DISNEY, RIGHT NOW (and are they accountable for promoting gambling)?

It's very hard to get a discussion going in this corner of BWW these days, but I'll try my best! 

Regarding the first of your two questions, there are already lots of apps where people can bet on sports, in private and with no one watching, in states where it's legal. I do think integrating it with ESPN programming will make it more convenient for many people, and therefore will probably serve to increase gambling somewhat.

Regarding the second question, I should first note that I have never been interested in gambling, but I come from a family of recreational gamblers (mother, father, sister) who clearly enjoy it as a semi-social activity and have always gambled within their moderate means. Also, I have a strong tendency to believe that, if people want to do something with their time and money that doesn't hurt anyone, then they should be able to do it. Obviously gambling addiction is a grave problem for many individuals, but I don't think that's a reason to prohibit (or even discourage) the practice for those who are able and willing to safely indulge.

In the past few years I've encountered a number of critical arguments against the rapid expansion of gambling, especially sports betting, focusing on harms to problem gamblers. I don't take these criticisms lightly, and I suspect that in the coming years we'll see pressure on the industry (through legislation or litigation) to provide more resources for those who have been negatively impacted. 

Updated On: 8/25/25 at 11:50 AM

kdogg36 said: "It's very hard to get a discussion going in this corner of BWW these days, but I'll try my best!"

I'm so glad to see you here, kdogg! Although Disney is a big part of the topic, the name alone didn't really justify this topic as falling into the Theater discussion genre. 

"Regarding the first of your two questions, there are already lots of apps where people can bet on sports, in private and with no one watching, in states where it's legal. I do think integrating it with ESPN programming will make it more convenient for many people, and therefore will probably serve to increase gambling somewhat."

Agreed, but I think the last line you wrote is where my focus lies.

I'm flat out 'educated-guessing' on this, but I don't think any other app has, or will have the customization, integrated features, or accessibility to the enormous amount of content ESPN is projecting will be available. I believe just the moniker of "Official Fantasy Game of the NFL" will be a prestigious draw that will be more enticing to users, and steer them away from using any other app.

Bottom line is that I can see how ESPN's app could create the monopoly ESPN seeks.

"I have a strong tendency to believe that, if people want to do something with their time and money that doesn't hurt anyone, then they should be able to do it.Obviously gambling addiction is a grave problem for many individuals, but I don't think that's a reason to prohibit (or even discourage) the practice for those who are able and willing to safely indulge."

Agreed, again! But would you also agree that, "those who are able and willing to safely indulge" are not the subjects of this discussion?

In the past few years I've encountered a number of critical arguments against the rapid expansion of gambling, especially sports betting, focusing on harms to problem gamblers. I don't take these criticisms lightly, and I suspect that in the coming years we'll see pressure on the industry (through legislation or litigation) to provide more resources for those who have been negatively impacted."

Given how much of our Democratic system of government has been destroyed by Donald Trump, and how much opportunity he has for further destruction if allowed to remain in office for another 2.5 years, do you feel options like legislation and litigation are as accessible as they've been in the past? 

I attended a Town Hall meeting (2 of them, actually) led by my state Representative Lauren Underwood. In the most recent mtg I attended, Congresswoman Underwood put a question to us regarding agencies that Trump has disbanded (i.e. The Dept., of Education, et.al.) She asked, "Do you think they are coming back?" 

Because no answer was offered by anyone, I believe the question was meant to be rhetorical (and possibly meant to imply some naivety).

EDIT: as a post script, another thing that got my Spidey-senses  tingling was the absence of any mention re: what role AI will play within the app. I can't imagine that an app with such a heavy focus on personalization to each, specific user wouldn't be employed to shape the user's experience (good thing? bad thing?). 

Updated On: 8/26/25 at 08:02 AM

In addition to the addiction possibilities, there is a growing danger to the players.  I'm a huge baseball fan and the players - and their wives! - are getting threats on social media from gamblers who lost money by betting on them to do something.  I'm not a gambler, so I guess it's easy for me to say it shouldn't be happening the way it is, but I doubt we're going to see it end because of big money.  It's always about big money... 

Don't know if this is behind a paywall, but here's an article from the Baltimore Banner about player threats.

https://www.thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/baltimore-orioles-sports-betting-threats-cade-povich-JX7WSRCH2ZDQ3D3QNEFICZXIPU/