Digital Harassment in Sports Betting: Navigating Venmo Thuggery and Online Threats

Athletes Face Rising Tide of Abuse From Disgruntled Sports Bettors

The explosion of legal sports betting in the U.S. has brought with it an unsettling side effect: a surge in harassment directed at athletes from bettors experiencing losses. What was once a relatively contained activity is now a mainstream phenomenon, and some fans are taking thier frustrations out on the players themselves.

The issue isn’t limited to professional athletes. Even college players are finding themselves targeted. Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne, now with the Cincinnati Bengals, recently recounted receiving Venmo requests from bettors after unfavorable game outcomes. “It’s funny,” Thorne said on “The Next Round” podcast. “When they lose money, they want their money back. But when they win money on a parlay, no one’s ever sent me any of the money.”

A recent NCAA study confirmed the growing problem, finding that at least 12% of publicly posted social media abuse towards athletes originates from “angry sports bettors.” Some posts directly reference betting losses, while others imply a connection. While the NCAA reports a 23% decrease in betting-related abuse through partnerships with the Signify Group, the issue remains a significant concern.

The shift began in 2018 when the supreme Court overturned the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), effectively legalizing sports betting nationwide. This decision transformed betting from a niche activity into a multi-billion dollar industry. While the legalization has generated tax revenue and curtailed the illegal market, it has also created unforeseen consequences.

According to one pro sports official, the level of athlete harassment seen today was virtually nonexistent before the overturning of PASPA.

The increased engagement driven by sports betting, while positive in some respects, is now coupled with a troubling new dynamic. Bettors, feeling a direct financial stake in the outcome of games, appear to believe they have a claim to players’ performance – and even their finances. This sense of entitlement fuels abusive behaviour, adding a significant mental and emotional burden to athletes who simply signed up to play the game.

How can digital change strategies, specifically AI-powered moderation, be rapidly deployed to mitigate harassment on sports betting platforms?

The Dark Side of the Game: understanding the Rise in Online Abuse

Sports betting, now legal in many US states and globally, has exploded in popularity. With it, unfortunately, has come a disturbing trend: a notable increase in digital harassment targeting bettors. This isn’t just about losing a wager; it’s about escalating online abuse, often spilling into real-world threats. We’re seeing a rise in sports betting harassment, particularly thru platforms like Twitter (now X), Discord, and, alarmingly, peer-to-peer payment apps like Venmo. This article dives deep into the issue, offering insights and practical advice for navigating this increasingly antagonistic landscape. Key terms include online gambling harassment, betting threats, and venmo scams.

Venmo Thuggery: A New Frontier for Harassment

Venmo, originally designed for simple money transfers between friends, has become a surprising hotbed for harassment. Losing bettors are increasingly using the platform to send abusive messages, threats, and even dox (reveal personal details) of tipsters, handicappers, and even other bettors.

Why Venmo? The perceived anonymity and lack of robust reporting mechanisms make it attractive to harassers. Screenshots of abusive Venmo transactions frequently circulate on social media.

Types of Abuse: This ranges from aggressive language and insults to explicit threats of violence and attempts to publicly shame individuals.

Financial Implications: Beyond the emotional distress,harassers sometimes attempt to reverse payments or file false disputes,causing financial headaches for those targeted.This falls under financial harassment related to sports betting.

Common Forms of Digital Harassment in Sports Betting

The harassment isn’t limited to Venmo. Here’s a breakdown of the most prevalent forms:

Doxing: Revealing someone’s personal information (address, phone number, workplace) online. This is illegal and incredibly perilous.

Threats of Violence: Direct or implied threats against an individual’s physical safety. Report these promptly to law enforcement.

Cyberstalking: Repeatedly harassing or monitoring someone online, creating a sense of fear and intimidation.

Slander & Defamation: Spreading false and damaging information about someone online.

targeted Abuse: Focusing harassment on specific individuals based on their betting activity, perceived success, or opinions.

Account Hacking: Attempts to gain unauthorized access to betting accounts or social media profiles.

Protecting Yourself: Practical Steps to Take

While platforms are slowly improving their moderation, proactive self-protection is crucial.

1. privacy Settings: Review and tighten privacy settings on all social media accounts.Limit who can see your posts and personal information.
2. Be Mindful of What You Share: Avoid publicly sharing details about your bets, winnings, or losses. Don’t reveal personal information.
3. Document Everything: Keep screenshots of abusive messages, threats, and any other evidence of harassment. This is vital for reporting.
4. Block & Report: Utilize the blocking and reporting features on all platforms. Don’t engage with harassers.
5. Venmo precautions:

Consider using venmo solely for transactions with known and trusted individuals.

Disable public transaction visibility.

Report abusive transactions to Venmo immediately.

1. Strong Passwords & Two-factor Authentication: Protect your betting and social media accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
2. Consider a VPN: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can mask your IP address, adding a layer of privacy.

Legal Recourse: When to Involve Law Enforcement

Digital harassment can constitute a crime. Don’t hesitate to involve law enforcement if you experience:

Threats of Violence: Any credible threat against your safety.

Doxing: The unauthorized publication of your personal information.

Cyberstalking: Repeated harassment that causes you fear or distress.

Extortion: Attempts to blackmail you for money or other favors.

Gather all evidence (screenshots, messages, etc.) and file a police report. You may also consider consulting with an attorney specializing in cybercrime or online harassment law.

Platform Duty & Moderation

Social media platforms and payment apps have a responsibility to create a safe environment for their users. While progress is being made, more needs to be done.

Improved Reporting Mechanisms: Easier and more effective ways to report harassment.

Faster Response Times: Quicker action on reported abuse.

Proactive moderation: Utilizing AI and human moderators to identify and remove abusive content.

Account Verification: Implementing stricter account verification processes to deter anonymous harassment.

* Collaboration with Law Enforcement: Working with law enforcement to investigate and prosecute perpetrators.

The Role of Digital Transformation in Combating Harassment

Ironically,digital transformation – the very force driving the growth of online sports betting – can also be leveraged to combat harassment. IBM’s definition of digital transformation focuses on enhancing efficiency and speed to market. Applying this to platform security means faster growth and deployment of anti-harassment tools, improved AI-powered moderation, and more robust data analytics to identify and prevent abusive behavior. This includes utilizing machine learning to detect patterns