Episode
The Betting States of America
- Podcast
- It Turns Out
- Published
- Mar 6, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2770
- Processing state
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- https://itturnsoutshow.com/episode/the-betting-states-of-america
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Summary
What happens when a culture is suddenly engulfed by 24/7 betting, wagering, and prediction markets? In this episode of It Turns Out , host Kara Miller sits down with Dr. Timothy Fong, a psychiatrist and co-director of the UCLA Gambling Studies Program , to explore the hidden costs of America's new favorite pastime: "solitude entertainment." From the staggering story of a student who drained his $180,000 college fund in just 18 months, to the psychological traps of treating apps like DraftKings and Polymarket as second jobs, Fong explains how the normalization of digital gambling is rewiring our brains and deepening the wealth gap. Discover the science behind addiction, the reality of why the house always wins, and what this unprecedented surge in financial risk-taking means for society's future. For more on the massive growth of sports gambling, check out the work of The Journalist's Resource at Harvard's Shorenstein Center. You can sign up for our newsletter here . Did you know you can also watch the show? Subscribe to the show on YouTube!