Venmo requests and death threats: Heckling in the digital sports betting age

Venmo requests and death threats: Heckling in the digital sports betting age

Being an athlete in the public eye can have its perks, but also many challenges. The most recent one? Bettors requesting money if they aren't getting the wins.

NHL Star Changes Venmo After Gamblers Flood Him With Requests to Cover Their Prop Bet Losses: ‘They Really Think I’m Sending Them Money’

Sports betting has exploded across the United States in recent years, becoming a fixture of sports culture since states began legalizing it following the Supreme Court’s 2018 decision to strike down the federal ban. But with the growth of gambling has come a darker side for athletes — increased online harassment from disgruntled bettors whose wagers don’t pay off. Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has experienced that harassment firsthand — …

Brady Tkachuk had to change his Venmo because gamblers kept asking him to cover their losses on prop bets: ‘People really think I’m going to send them money’

Sports gambling has become ever present in American culture since states began gradually legalizing it. Athletes are now the subject of increased harassment online when bettors lose their wagers. Sometimes it gets even more out of hand, like how Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk received a massive influx of Venmo requests from gamblers who lost bets based on his game props. "Do you really think I care about your parlay?" Brady Tkachuk (@Sen…

Brady Tkachuk had to change his Venmo account because fans were hitting him up to cover their betting losses

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk told ESPN insider Greg Wyshynski today that he was forced to change his Venmon username and profile picture after jilted hockey fans kept hitting him up for free money.Tkachuk says that fans who lost money betting on him to score would hit up his public Venmo profile and ask for him to cover their gambling losses."Not even winning or scoring, it was my shots or hits. I eventually had to change my Venmo name …