As sports gambling has surged in popularity, San Francisco Giants players are voicing their concerns about the increasingly hostile reactions from fans who lose bets. In a USA Today article, several MLB players, including Giants’ Tyler Rogers and Matt Chapman, discussed how they’ve had to take measures to protect themselves from aggressive gamblers. Rogers mentioned that he had to make his Venmo account private after receiving payment requests from angry fans who lost money on his performance.
Matt Chapman echoed Rogers’ concerns, noting that fan behavior has changed significantly with the rise of gambling. Previously, fans would hurl typical insults like “You’re a bum,” but now they are much more vicious, especially when they have money riding on the game. Chapman has also experienced fans requesting money through Venmo, leading him to change his account settings for protection.
Giants’ star pitcher Logan Webb has also seen a shift in fan behavior since his MLB debut in 2019. He mentioned that the intensity and hostility have increased dramatically, especially in relation to betting. Webb frequently receives negative direct messages (DMs) from fans who are upset about losing money on strikeout bets, with some fans crossing the line with inappropriate comments.
The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) has long expressed concern over the impact of legalized gambling on player safety and wellbeing. After the U.S. Supreme Court allowed sports gambling to expand in 2018, the MLBPA and the league implemented several measures to protect players. These include banning the display of betting odds on individual player performances in stadiums and creating a hotline for players to report threats.
However, despite these measures, social media has become a platform where players are still exposed to harsh criticism and threats. Tommy Pham, an outfielder for the Chicago White Sox and a former Giants opponent, emphasized how out of control betting-related harassment has become. Pham, who enjoys gambling on blackjack, admitted that betting brings out “keyboard warriors” who take their frustrations out on athletes.
The rise of sports betting continues to be a concern for MLB players, as fan behavior becomes more aggressive and invasive. While protective measures have been put in place, the challenges posed by social media and gambling remain, with athletes like Rogers, Chapman, and Webb feeling the pressure of increased hostility from disappointed gamblers.
