Published on: January 8, 2026, 12:22h.
Updated on: January 7, 2026, 01:34h.
- Dave Ramsey claims the rise of online sports betting has harmed young men significantly
- Ramsey labels online sportsbooks as “pure evil” and a “gateway to disaster”
- Critics argue that gambling is a personal choice, and some individuals do experience wins
Dave Ramsey has consistently expressed his disapproval of gambling and sports wagering. This sentiment has been evident in his long-running national financial advice radio program, where he often addresses the challenges faced by individuals with gambling addictions.
During a latest episode of “The Ramsey Show,” which is among America’s most popular financial broadcasts, Ramsey reinforced his strong stance against sports gambling. He noted that while sports betting was only permitted in Nevada seven years back, it is now regulated across 39 states and Washington, D.C., and is increasingly affecting young men.
“The fastest-expanding addiction that’s ruining young men in their 20s is online sports betting. FanDuel is a gateway to disaster. DraftKings is not the king of anything except their own profits,” Ramsey asserted.
“They are ruining an entire generation of young men. That’s how they manage to fund all those advertisements,” he added.
Sportbook Opponent
It’s important to note that sports betting operates as a business. According to Ramsey, companies like DraftKings and FanDuel invest millions in marketing and promotions not out of goodwill, but as a profitable strategy.
“There are continuous ads flooding every sporting event. They’re dishing out billions. Do you know where that money comes from? It’s taken straight from your child’s pocket. This is wickedness,” Ramsey strongly stated.
Some viewers have posited that gambling, including sports betting, is a matter of personal choice. However, Ramsey rebutted this by highlighting that firms like DraftKings and FanDuel are masterful at luring young men into believing winning is easy, while in reality, they face almost certain losses.
“Winning is not likely,” he emphasized.
According to the American Gaming Association (AGA), sports bettors incurred a staggering $13 billion in losses over the first 10 months of 2025, an increase of 17.2% compared to the previous year.
Americans are wagering an estimated $14 billion monthly through regulated sportsbooks, excluding illegal offshore bets and local bookmaking activities.
Engagement in Sports Betting
A 2025 study from the Siena Research Institute in New York indicated that approximately 50% of men aged 18-49 hold active online sports betting accounts. This data implies that around 22% of all American adults are engaged in online wagering, with more than half admitting to attempting to recoup losses by making subsequent bets.
The findings suggest that 37% of bettors have felt guilt after experiencing losses, and 20% have faced difficulties in fulfilling financial obligations due to their gambling activities.