LeBron's Risky NFL Gambling Deal With DraftKings
LeGamble. LeCapper. LeParlay.
Those are just a few of the plays off Lebron James’ name that followed the announcement in January 2024 that the NBA legend would work to promote NFL sports betting at DraftKings ahead of the Super Bowl.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed by James or DraftKings.
James is an NFL fan, and he consistently posts on social media about games, especially before the NBA is back in season. He has made so-called betting picks on Instagram
Because of his love for football, DraftKings Sportsbook sought a partnership where the future NBA Hall of Famer will encourage fans to gamble through the platform.
“Football season just got a lot more fun,” James said of gambling.
“Welcoming one of the most influential and greatest athletes of all time, LeBron James, to the DraftKings family is an absolute honor and privilege,” DraftKings CEO Jason Robins said. “We look forward to working with a passionate sports fan who shares the same competitive mindset that echoes throughout the walls at DraftKings, while delivering exciting engagement opportunities to our customers and his loyal fanbase for years to come.”
While some other countries are moving to ban athletes from endorsing gambling companies, James apparently is all in to promote use of an addictive betting product.
You can expect to see predatory betting app push notifications and other online marketing material featuring James. We should be concerned.
Why It’s a Risky Bet
The primary reason why it’s dangerous for James to promote sports gambling on DraftKings is because he has millions of fans who could be susceptible to addiction.
James is a global icon with a significant fan base, including many young and impressionable fans. If he promotes sports betting, it could normalize gambling among young people, potentially leading to gambling addiction or financial issues later in life.
Many underage people access online gambling apps through adults they know.
About 30-40% of online sports bettors experience problems, and there is a growing backlash to the online betting industry. Many people are starting to see gambling as having negative social consequences, such as addiction, financial ruin, and mental health issues.
Given his status as a role model, LeBron's promotion of betting can be seen as endorsing an activity that can lead to these problems, which might damage his reputation. Under the partnership with DraftKings, James will not promote gambling on basketball.
A 2024 study found that state-sanctioned online sports betting damages the financial health of the population. Paying lip service to a message of “responsible gambling” amid this growing crisis, promos featuring James will display a hotline number to call.
Bob Voulgaris, a former professional sports bettor and former NBA executive, was among many observers who reacted negatively to the James-DraftKings announcement.
"Being a 'partner’ in societal collapse doesn't seem that fun to me,” Voulgaris wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “You're better than this King. I would implore you to spend some time with some disadvantaged young people who've had their lives turned upside down by gambling."
According to reports, Voulgaris is one of the rare exceptions of an NBA sports gambler who figured out a way to beat the books. However, he reportedly used a network of people to help him place his bets, as sportsbooks ban winners. Disapproval of the James-DraftKings partnership from someone like Voulgaris is notable.
James is unlikely to overtly portray gambling as a reliable way to make money, which is good but not a silver lining to the problematic relationship with one of the most popular betting apps. This relationship might come back to haunt James.
Image via @KingJames on X