Andrew Yang Draws Parallels Between Sports Wagering and Taxes

The nationwide expansion of betting brought legal and mobile sports wagering options to millions of Americans in nearly 40 states. The growth of the sector followed a landmark 2018 decision of the US Supreme Court that ruled PASPA unconstitutional, enabling lawmakers in different states to legalize and regulate sports betting.

Sports Betting Compared to Tax on Americans

The statewide expansion of wagering helped reduce the share of the black market while generating tax revenue that different states use for community programs, education and combatting harm. However, fears about the detrimental effect of wagering are not unfounded, considering the increasing number of cases where bettors threaten college and professional athletes.

At the same time, more people are seeing betting as a normal part of enjoying sports in a move that has dire consequences for those who can’t afford to lose. An interesting point of view on the topic of sports betting was presented by the co-chair of the Forward Party, “human-centered economy,” anti-poverty expert and entrepreneur, Andrew Yang.

“You know what’s become another ‘tax’ on Americans? Online sports betting,“

wrote Andrew Yang

Taking the matter to his personal page on X, formerly Twitter, Yang contemplated the impact of sports betting, comparing the activity to another “tax” on Americans. The famous entrepreneur has more than 1.7 million followers and that post in particular has accumulated a staggering 1.2 million views, more than 1,200 comments and 7,200 likes.

Yang explained that he uses an app to place sports wagers. While he didn’t confirm the bookmaker he prefers, the recognizable businessman said that wagering on sports can have a detrimental impact on the viewing experience of sports and that’s not for the better. “It’s incredibly easy to imagine people betting money that they can ill afford,” he revealed.

Community Responds: Taxes Are Mandatory, Betting Isn’t

The businessman’s opinion on sports betting comparing the activity to taxes on Americans caught the attention of thousands of online users who submitted a response. Although the opinion of each user was slightly different and some have even gone as far as insulting Yang, many highlighted a major difference between taxes and sports betting, confirming while the latter is a voluntary activity, the former isn’t.

One online user nicknamed “J-tweets” wrote: “Yeah but voluntary (sports betting). No one’s gone to prison for not sports betting.” Another X user compared sports betting to cultural decay but rejected the comparison of the activity to taxation.

An X user nicknamed “Jack V Lloyd”, who also joined the discussion, added: “Taxation is theft. Sports betting is voluntary.” Another user online supported the idea that taxes are not optional, while sports betting is, while a separate X user wrote: “I have never paid this ‘tax.'”