Not Just a Game: The Real Cost of Sports Gambling | Danny Funt
Fri Feb 06 2026
States are racing to legalize sports gambling, but at what cost? In this episode of The Narrative, Mike Andrews, David Mahan, and Danny Funt unpack how legalized betting is reshaping families, communities, and even the integrity of sports.
But first, Mike and David celebrate the landmark $2 million settlement for a detransitioned teen in New York—the first of its kind, finally setting a new precedent in the ongoing conversation around pediatric sex-rejecting surgeries.
Meanwhile, Ohio’s Adolescent Health Centers finally receive critical funding for programs that teach character, sexual risk avoidance, and fatherhood skills, giving students life-affirming tools and keeping more of Planned Parenthood's comprehensive sex-ed out of our schools.
After the news, the hosts sit down with journalist Danny Funt, author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling, to explore the explosive growth of legalized betting. DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the sports betting market, but their influence comes with serious consequences. Danny reveals the social, financial, and moral costs that extend well beyond the simple idea of “everybody wins.” From micro-bets that can hook young gamblers to the duopoly controlling the industry, this is the crucial information every parent, policymaker, and concerned citizen needs to understand.
If you’re watching the Super Bowl this weekend, this episode is your must-listen primer on the game we really can’t afford.
More About Danny Funt
Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at The Washington Post. His reporting has also appeared in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and the Columbia Journalism Review. He previously worked as an editor at The Week magazine. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia Journalism School, he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and son.
Headshot credit: Jordan K. Ellis
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We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now.
👉 Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077.
👉 Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org.
To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org.
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If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you!
🔎 ABOUT THE NARRATIVE
The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies.
Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today.
Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More
States are racing to legalize sports gambling, but at what cost? In this episode of The Narrative, Mike Andrews, David Mahan, and Danny Funt unpack how legalized betting is reshaping families, communities, and even the integrity of sports. But first, Mike and David celebrate the landmark $2 million settlement for a detransitioned teen in New York—the first of its kind, finally setting a new precedent in the ongoing conversation around pediatric sex-rejecting surgeries. Meanwhile, Ohio’s Adolescent Health Centers finally receive critical funding for programs that teach character, sexual risk avoidance, and fatherhood skills, giving students life-affirming tools and keeping more of Planned Parenthood's comprehensive sex-ed out of our schools. After the news, the hosts sit down with journalist Danny Funt, author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling, to explore the explosive growth of legalized betting. DraftKings and FanDuel dominate the sports betting market, but their influence comes with serious consequences. Danny reveals the social, financial, and moral costs that extend well beyond the simple idea of “everybody wins.” From micro-bets that can hook young gamblers to the duopoly controlling the industry, this is the crucial information every parent, policymaker, and concerned citizen needs to understand. If you’re watching the Super Bowl this weekend, this episode is your must-listen primer on the game we really can’t afford. More About Danny Funt Danny Funt covers sports betting as a contributor at The Washington Post. His reporting has also appeared in The New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal, and the Columbia Journalism Review. He previously worked as an editor at The Week magazine. A graduate of Georgetown University and the Columbia Journalism School, he lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and son. Headshot credit: Jordan K. Ellis 📢 TALK TO US We want to hear from you! As a valued listener, your feedback is critical for us to keep The Narrative insightful, relevant, and helpful. If you have a particular guest, topic, or question you'd like us to cover, let us know! We’ll answer your questions on an “Ask Us Anything” episode later, so send in your questions now. 👉 Leave us a voicemail or text at 614-769-7077. 👉 Email us at thenarrative@ccv.org. To learn more about Center for Christian Virtue and to get involved, visit CCV.org. ⭐️ HOW ARE WE DOING? If you've found any episode of The Narrative insightful, let us know by leaving a review or rating! It helps us to know what you're enjoying and brings the podcast to other listeners, meaning you're helping equip your neighbors to understand today's hottest cultural and political topics. So, thank you! 🔎 ABOUT THE NARRATIVE The Narrative breaks away from the script to cut through the typical media narratives and helps you understand the root causes of today’s culture and political controversies. Join Center for Christian Virtue (CCV) President Aaron Baer, Policy Director David Mahan, Communications Director Mike Andrews, and world-renowned experts as they dissect current issues and events from multiple angles and viewpoints, equipping you to be a critical thinker on some of the hottest topics today. Support the show: https://www.ccv.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.