Sports betting officially goes online on Monday. WXII checked in with sports fans in the Triad, and while many of them agree that being able to place bets is exciting, they say moderation should be in every sports fan's playbook. “Most states will get there sooner or later anyway,” said Mark Holtz. He is an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, but if there is something that unites him and other baseball fans, it is the fact that he can place bets on the Buckeyes' performance in the upcoming MLB season. He said it will be enough to get him and others to broaden their horizons to sports they may not be familiar with. “Even if they don't bet a lot of money, $10, $20, you know, they might be more interested in watching,” he said. “You know, the finals of the Masters or the NCAA tournament or the NHL and stuff like that. It just gives people an extra reason to pay attention, even if it doesn't cost them a lot of money.” He believes this move is beneficial for sports fans and the state, but certainly acknowledges the concerns about making sports betting so widely available make. “Anytime it involves gambling and betting, there is always the possibility that a person will be mistreated or lack discipline and end up in trouble,” he said. Stewart Bowers agreed: “Unfortunately, someone is going to go too far,” Bowers said, “and they’re going to get in trouble. I would like to think that the majority would, you know, know what you can bet to lose if you can afford it.” . There's no getting around it.” Bowers lives in North Carolina but was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where sports betting has been around for years. “I used to live near a pretty famous horse racing track,” he said. “You know, I would go there and make some bets with your friends and stuff like that.” He said that while he knew he wanted to participate, he knew not to overdo it. “I’m not going to bet thousands,” he said. “I'll do the odd splash here and there, but nothing, nothing too crazy. I just think it's good that North Carolina has accepted it and hopefully embraces it. I hope it's a sensible decision for the most part.” North Carolinians can begin placing bets on college and professional sports starting around noon Monday, just in time for March Madness.
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Sports betting officially goes online on Monday. WXII checked in with sports fans in the Triad, and while many of them agree that being able to place bets is exciting, they say moderation should be in every sports fan's playbook.
“Most states will end up doing this sooner or later anyway,” Mark Holtz said.
He's an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, but if there's one thing that unites him and other baseball fans, it's the fact that he can bet on the Buckeyes' performance in the upcoming MLB season. He said it will be enough to get him and others to broaden their horizons to sports they may not be familiar with.
“Even if they don't bet a lot of money, $10, $20, you know, they might be more interested in watching,” he said. “You know, the finals of the Masters or the NCAA Tournament or the NHL and stuff like that. It just gives people an extra reason to pay attention, even if it doesn’t cost them a lot of money.”
He believes the move is beneficial for sports fans and the state, but certainly acknowledges the concerns about making sports betting so widely available.
“Any time it involves gambling and betting, there is always the possibility that a person will be mistreated or lack discipline and end up in trouble,” he said.
Stewart Bowers agreed.
“Unfortunately, someone is going to go too far,” Bowers said, “and they’re going to get in trouble. I would like to think that the majority would, you know, know what you can afford to lose. I won't get past that.
Bowers lives in North Carolina but was born and raised in the United Kingdom, where sports betting has existed for years.
“I used to live near a pretty famous horse racing track,” he said. “You know, I would go there and make some bets with your friends and stuff like that.”
He said although he planned to attend, he knew he couldn't overdo it.
“I’m not going to bet thousands,” he said. “I'll do the odd splash here and there, but nothing, nothing too crazy. I just think it's good that North Carolina has accepted it and hopefully embraces it. I hope that for the most part it’s a sensible decision.”
North Carolina residents can begin placing bets on college and professional sports starting around noon Monday, just in time for March Madness.
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