Just as cellphones and social media have brought bullying into children’s bedrooms, sports betting has brought problem gambling into family living rooms. For most fans, having famous athletes and broadcasters shill for gambling sites is annoying.

For others, the invasion of living rooms with betting opportunities is much like having government-authorized deliveries of alcohol to homes of alcoholics. According to one of the ads normalizing the behaviour, watching games is really just research for the real game; gambling.

For the novices, SportsNet has provided a detailed explanation of 40 some terms that one should know in order to bet without embarrassment.   

It is not like we weren’t warned. An extensive study in Britain concluded that many young males in Britain could not watch sports without betting. Another study identified sports bettors as more likely than others to become problem gamblers.

An Ohio study found that problem gamblers were more apt to be suicidal than other addicts.

Here are some sure things. Betting will be profitable for the league, so it will stay, regardless of the impact on individuals and families. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman will continue to block expansion into Canada.

The NHL will continue to pretend that there are no long-term consequences to being punched in the head repeatedly over several years. Commentators will lament suicides of enforcers, while celebrating fighting.

Former thugs will be hired to police violence in the game. Referees will “let them play” in the playoffs, only intervening with random calls to ensure the odd power play.

David Steele, Regina

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