NHL players expressed their experiences amid rising sports gambling market (Credit: IMAGN)
Since 2018, the rapid growth of sports betting has transformed the NHL, increasing revenue and enhancing fan engagement. However, this shift has also brought some drawbacks.
Several NHL players have reported experiencing abuse from fans who were upset about losing their bets. In interviews with The Athletic, these players shared their experiences.
"People on social media are way crazier now because they have more skin in the game. I think that’s for all sports," one player told The Athletic,
According to the American Gaming Association, sports betting in the U.S. earned $10.92 billion in 2023. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling allowing states to legalize betting, hockey fans nationwide have started placing wagers.
