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The act of gambling is not something unique to sport games lovers and fans alone. Professional athletes have also been seen on different occasions engaging in the act. Pro basketball players, particularly, are known for being active when placing bets on other types of sports, safe for the game they participate in. This article reviews important aspects such as psychology, popularity, and the effects of the subject.

Understanding The Psychology Of Gambling Among Pro Basketball Players

“Before betting on basketball, research teams, players, and trends. Set a budget, stick to it, and gamble responsibly.” – Joshua Cramer

Top NBA players have been found on different occasions engaging in sports betting. Many think only fans and spectators of these games play at SoCanadianCasino by placing bets on their favorite teams using Apple Pay and other prominent payment options. Nonetheless, this discovery has revealed that even successful athletes, particularly basketball players, also take these risks. While you may want to think the only reward for gambling is gaming, you need to understand these people are already successful in their careers. This further reveals that other psychological factors reinforce this act among the players beyond monetary gratification. The following are a few explainable ones:

  • The Culture of Gambling

Beyond betting to earn money, there is already a culture of gambling among basketball players. It is a normal activity that they do for fun during their leisure. Playing cards is always done by those people on a flight while traveling to play a match. It is believed to be a source of bonding among them, however, a major psychology that reinforces their gambling habits.

  • The need for stimulation

Pressure is part and parcel of working as a sportsperson. There is always a mental or physical intensity during matches or even in practices. After a long while, players become addicted to this feeling and may need to engage in gambling to stimulate the same sensation during breaks or when they are away from work.

  • Social pressure

Some of those guys don’t engage in gambling for the fun of it or necessarily to win money. Every so often, the act is borne out of the desire to relate or blend with their society or fans. It may also be an attempt to be socially active after being away from work.

Examining The Increase Popularity Of Sports Betting Among Professional Basketball Athletes

Not until recently, gambling was an activity that was forbidden for lost sportsmen. It was seen to be an unfair thing if players themselves participated in betting. Some years later, the NBA allowed athletes to participate but were restricted from staking on a basketball game. This was done as an attempt to discourage fixed matches that may want to arise due to personal ambition to win bets.

Over the years, many professional NBA players have been seen gambling in different situations. Some are controversial, while others did theirs legally. Below is an overview of top athletes seen betting:

  • Micheal Jordan

No doubt, Micheal is a household name in basketball and unarguably the most famous player of all time. While we might not want to admit that he is an addicted gambler, we may just say he is a serial one. This is because he was seen engaging in different gambling activities, for example, playing at the Atlantic City Casino on different occasions. Likewise, he allegedly lost something above $100 million in a golf game bet.

  • Charles Barkley

This man here has one of the scariest moments in gambling as a basketball player. He has been seen losing millions of dollars on different occasions while betting. His favorites are the top-notch Vegas casinos, where he plays games during his leisure. Among his most spectacular moments was when he lost $2.5 million in a single blackjack game.

  • Shaquille O’Neal

Shaq is undoubtedly one of the favorite NBA players with great performances on the court. Another interesting thing about the person is also his love for gambling. He has been quoted saying that his minimum bet is $100, with him placing a single bet of $1 million on a dice game.

  • Charles Oakley

This person here may be the most controversial gambler of all time in the NBA due to his experiences. The bad side is that he loves to win and doesn’t want a loss, which is almost impossible in gambling. He was reported to pull back all his chips from the table when he realized losing was imminent and has since been banned from the casino. He has also been fined $10,000 by the NBA for gambling and fight-related issues.

The list didn’t stop here, as there are still a lot of top guys in the game who engage in gambling. This increased popularity can be traced to the fact that the activities are fun-filled and rewarding. While it is bad to be addicted, responsible gaming can be beneficial and entertaining.

How Are Professional Basketball Teams Responding To The Issue Of Player Gambling

With the rate at which gambling is growing among NBA players, it has become imperative for basketball teams to take proactive actions in curtailing the potential dangers. In response, they have put some measures in place to help players with responsible gambling, and here are some highlights:

  • Organizing policies and educational programs

Even with the freedom that comes with gambling for NBA guys, some teams have implemented policies to discourage it. Players signing up must acknowledge the regulation and stick to abiding by it. This is an attempt to curb the activities that can negatively affect the player and club. Educational programs that seek to educate the ballers on the consequences of addiction to gambling are also put in place.

  • Partnerships with helpful organizations

Another interesting attempt by professional basketball teams is partnering with different organizations that can help limit the negative effect of gambling on their players. One such is the move by the Philadelphia 76ers to partner with the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania to provide help to players, coaches, and other staff struggling with addiction.

  • Financial education programs

There are also attempts to reorient players on managing their finances accurately. This is believed to be very helpful by discouraging the lavish act most gamblers display at the casino. The NBA players association also has a financial team that educates members on budgeting, money management strategies, and investing.

How Does Legalized Sports Betting Affect Pro Basketball Players

There are many effects, both positive and negative, of legalized gambling on professional basketball players. These consequences are seen in their performance and social lives.

The positive effect is the opportunity to partner with gambling brands as ambassadors, offering players many perks. This provides endorsement opportunities, allowing them to make more money besides wages. It also enhances popularity among fans, which is a good thing for the athletes’ careers.

Another obvious benefit of legalized gambling on NBA players is that it is a source of motivation. Having an understanding of how much fans are rooting for them ahead of the game can cause the teams to put in the effort to get a win. As a result, it enhances the game’s competitiveness, making it more interesting.

On the negative side, legalized betting, especially when it has resulted in addiction, is detrimental to a player. It might cause an athlete to get involved in illegal and unethical practices. It may also result in losing a huge amount of money and bankruptcy if proper care is not taken.

The Need For Education And Support To Help Pro Basketball Players With Gambling Habit

As a professional basketball player, it is unethical to make a habit of gambling. This can have a huge negative impact on the career of such a person and may also result in a bad reputation. To curb this growing menace in the NBA, there is a need to employ education and support tactics.

This approach seeks to orient the players on the right ways to gamble and then need to engage them responsibly. Likewise, education and support programs will be necessary to train athletes on important financial values such as budgeting, investment, and money management. All of these are essential to make a good habit out of them.

Conclusion

There are plenty of reasons pro basketball players engage in gambling of all kinds. Besides instant gratification, it is known to be a culture amidst them for relaxation, while away time, and to break the boredom. This act is getting popular as many athletes are engaging in casinos and other types of betting on different occasions. With this, it became imperative for teams and the NBA to implement education and support to help players who are addicted to it.