NBA Hall of Famer and TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley recently shared his thoughts on the rise of in-game betting in sports, calling it “scary” in a candid interview with Awful Announcing.
Barkley, known for his outspoken personality and unfiltered opinions, didn’t hold back when discussing his concerns about the growing trend of in-game betting, where fans can place bets on various aspects of a game while it is in progress.
“It’s scary to me,” Barkley said. “I think it’s going to be interesting for some people, but for me, it’s scary. The line between being a fan and being a gambler is getting blurred, and that’s not a good thing.”
The former NBA star went on to express his worries about the potential for in-game betting to negatively impact the integrity of sports, saying, “You never want to see people betting on individual plays or possessions. That’s not what sports are about. Sports are about competition and fair play, and when you start introducing that element of betting on every little thing that happens in a game, it can really change the dynamic.”
Barkley also raised concerns about the impact of in-game betting on fans, particularly younger audiences who may be more susceptible to the lure of gambling. “I worry about the younger generation getting caught up in the excitement of in-game betting and losing sight of why they’re watching sports in the first place,” he said. “We need to be careful about the messages we’re sending to young fans.”
While Barkley acknowledged that in-game betting could be a lucrative business for sports leagues and media companies, he stressed the importance of protecting the integrity of the game and ensuring that fans are not exploited for financial gain.
“I think we need to proceed with caution when it comes to in-game betting,” Barkley said. “We need to make sure that we are putting the interests of the fans and the integrity of the game first. That should always be our top priority.”
As the conversation around in-game betting continues to evolve, it is clear that voices like Charles Barkley’s will be crucial in shaping the future of sports gambling and ensuring that the integrity of the game remains intact.
