{
  "id": 9151981,
  "title": "Ryan Smith Doesn’t Want Betting to Take Over Sports",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ryan-smith-doesnt-want-betting-to-take-over-sports-9151981",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T14:31:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Front Office Sports",
    "slug": "front-office-sports",
    "url": "https://frontofficesports.com/article/ryan-smith-doesnt-want-betting-to-take-over-sports/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jazz and Mammoth proprietor Ryan Smith has expressed apprehension about the drawbacks of betting and prediction markets, acknowledging they are here to stay and that sports leagues must take responsibility in implementing safeguards. In a recent Front Office Sports podcast, Smith stated, \"We all know the risks of gambling... We've seen lives destroyed, people destroyed because of it.\" The rise of sports betting and prediction markets intensified following the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court decision that struck down a federal gambling prohibition. In 2022, Americans wagered $167 billion on sports, a staggering $119 billion increase (192%) from the $167 billion bet in 2021, according to the Urban Institute. While individual bettors are affected, players and coaches also suffer as a result. Smith recounted a situation where Jazz head coach Will Hardy encountered fan complaints about his decision to bench a player in the fourth quarter, fearing it might impact their bet. Smith emphasized that Utah's stance on sports betting—illegal—is particularly sensitive, and the federal judge's ruling in August allowing Utah regulators to enforce gambling laws against prediction-market platforms (Kalshi is appealing) further complicates matters. Rather than advocating for the NBA and NHL to disregard betting, Smith believes the leagues should utilize their influence to ensure betting remains safe for consumers. Both leagues have partnered with sportsbooks, such as DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbooks, and Fanatics Sportsbook, to address integrity concerns. While the NBA has two official sports betting partners, the NHL has not taken an official stance on prediction markets yet. Smith's stance is not driven by financial gains but rather the fact that betting enhances the sports experience for many fans, making games more interactive and engaging. Smith prefers a moderate approach, ensuring sports remain the central focus without being overshadowed by gambling.",
  "summary": "“I think we need a little more moderation in all of it.”",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Ryan Smith Doesn’t Want Betting to Take Over Sports",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ryan-smith-doesnt-want-betting-to-take-over-sports",
        "published": "2026-09-22T14:31:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}